Groups urges gov’t to provide health insurance for students on DepEd’s limited face-to-face classes dry run

A provision of health insurance for students who will participate in the pilot implementation of limited face-to-face classes that was recommended by the Department of Education (DepEd) is being pursued by groups.

Aral Pilipinas said that the government should provide health insurance to students who will be part of the dry run to ensure their health as well as their family’s well-being. The group is composed of education practitioners, parents, students, and development workers advocating for the continuity of education in times of crises and in the face of multiple vulnerabilities

The group along with with Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Pamilya ng Pantawid (SNPP) has also urged DepEd and the Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to address several concerns before proceeding with the pilot implementation of face-to-face classes in January 2021. They also added that they have to ensure that the recommendations of health professionals are considered

Hindi dapat pagpilian ang pagpapatuloy ng pag-aaral o ang pananatiling ligtas ng bawat estudyanteng Pilipino,

the groups said.

Specifically, the groups said that the schools chosen for the pilot implementation should have the capacity to follow protocols and safety standards.

Dagdag pa dito, kailangan rin ng malinaw na polisiya paano ang ugnayan ng DepEd sa mga LGU lalo na sa contact tracing at kung ano ang gagawin kung sakaling magkaroon ng kaso ng COVID-19 sa kanilang lugar,

the Aral Pilipinas and SNPP said.

Additionally, the groups are asking the DepEd and IATF to ensure that parents and learners have options should they decide not participate in the conduct of face-to-face classes and suggested that the implementation of other learning modalities in blended learning should still be maintained and available in pilot schools while limited face-to-face classes is being conducted.

More importantly, Aral Pilipinas and SNPP are urging the authorities to listen and consult parents on the planned pilot implementation of face-to-face classes.