DepEd official assures learning modules safe to share if properly disinfected

DepEd Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado San Antonio cited that the 1:1 student-module ratio will not be possible in all regions and schools division offices (SDOs). Some students will have to share their self-learning modules (SLMs) next year due to lack of funding for the production of the materials. Students would only have 1:1 modules for the 1st and 2nd quarters of the academic year, and may share learning materials for the 3rd and 4th quarters.

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Upon the announcement many teachers and parents shared their worries in the internet, they worry that sharing of modules may cause transmission of Covid-19.

An official of the Department of Education (DepEd) has sought to ease the fears of parents and teachers on the safety of students sharing modules. Proper disinfection of materials would ensure that it won't become a virus transmitter.

On Friday, San Antonio said during an interview that if the materials are properly disinfected and the protocols for disinfection are followed properly, the materials would be very safe.

UV lights is being considered for disinfecting materials, it is widely used in healthcare facilities for disinfecting patient and operating rooms. However, the Department of Health (DOH) cautioned the public, as improper use of UV light may cause skin burns or eye irritation. DOH added that its use is mainly advisable in hospital.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that while hospitals have been using UV light for disinfection procedures for sometime, there was not enough evidence to support UV light as an effective agent against eliminating the coronavirus. 

San Antonio said that aside from using UV light, parents and students can expose the learning materials to direct sunlight upon receiving them.

Kung talagang ayaw ng UV light kasi nga may mga added risk, puwede namang kung maaraw, ibilad. It will just have to take extra days.... By the time the modules arrive at the hands of the learners, natapos na ‘yung 14 days na sinasabing lifespan ng virus,

San Antonio said.

[If you don't want to use UV light due to added risk, if it's sunny, you may expose the materials to sunlight. It will just have to take extra days.... By the time the modules arrive at the hands of the learners, the 14-day supposed lifespan of the virus has lapsed.]

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said that it may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.

A microbiologist and scientist at the University of the Philippines Manila Professor Marilen Balolong, said that the virus could remain viable for up to 72 hours on plastics, 48 hours on stainless steel, 24 hours on cardboard, and 4 hours on copper.

Proper disinfection and cleaning is the key to ensure the safety of teachers and students.