Gatchalian backs full face-to-face classes; presses need for learning recovery

PHILIPPINES, June 2 - Press Release
June 2, 2022

Gatchalian backs full face-to-face classes; presses need for learning recovery

Senator Win Gatchalian backs the full resumption of face-to-face classes next academic school year, a move that he says would boost the recovery of the basic education sector from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the full resumption of in-person learning is a first step, Gatchalian maintained the

need to implement a massive learning recovery program, noting that the lack of face-to-face classes for two years resulted in learning loss. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has estimated that two years without face-to-face learning would result in P22 trillion in productivity losses.

Gatchalian's proposed learning recovery program includes well-systematized tutorial sessions for struggling learners. This proposed program will cover the most essential learning competencies under Language and Mathematics for Grades 1 to 10 and Science for Grades 3 to 10. Literacy and numeracy competencies will be given focus for Kindergarten learners to build on their foundational competencies.

The Department of Education (DepEd) reported that as of May 26, there were 34,238 schools nominated to conduct face-to-face classes, 1,174 of which are private schools. Over 33,000 or 73.28% of public schools are already holding in-person classes.

"Matapos ang halos dalawang taon ng pagtugon natin sa mga hamon ng pandemya, napapanahon nang buksan natin ang lahat ng mga paaralan upang makabalik na ang mga mag-aaral. Habang patuloy ang pagbangon ng iba't ibang sektor, dapat nating tiyaking hindi mapag-iiwanan ang sektor ng edukasyon," said Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture.

Gatchalian also vowed that when the 19th Congress opens, he will pursue legislation to improve the quality of education and accelerate the sector's recovery from the pandemic's impact. Congress has recently ratified the bicameral conference committee on the creation of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), a measure that Gatchalian sponsored.

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Gatchalian: Ganap na pagbabalik ng face-to-face classes napapanahon na

Upang lalong makabangon ang sektor ng edukasyon mula sa pinsalang dulot ng pandemya ng COVID-19, suportado ni Senador Win Gatchalian ang ganap na pagbabalik ng face-to-face classes sa susunod na academic year.

Bagama't ang pagbabalik ng face-to-face classes ang unang hakbang, iginiit ni Gatchalian ang pangangailangan para sa malawakang programa para sa learning recovery, lalo na't ang kawalan ng face-to-face classes sa loob ng dalawang taon ay nagdulot ng learning loss o pag-urong ng kaalaman. Tinataya ng NEDA na dahil sa kawalan ng face-to-face classes sa loob ng dalawang taon, dalawamput' dalawang (22) trilyong piso ang mawawala sa bansa dahil sa productivity losses.

Bahagi ng panukalang learning recovery program ni Gatchalian ang mga sistematikong tutorial sessions para sa mga mag-aaral na nahihirapan sa kanilang mga aralin. Saklaw ng panukalang programa ang "most essential learning competencies" sa ilalim ng Language at Mathematics para sa Grade 1 hanggang Grade 10, at Science para sa Grade 3 hanggang Grade 10. "Literacy at numeracy competencies" naman ang tutukan sa mga mag-aaral sa Kindergarten upang mahasa ang kanilang mga foundational competencies.

Ayon sa Department of Education (DepEd), may 34,238 na mga paaralan na ang nominado para sa face-to-face classes at 1,174 dito ay mga pribadong paaralan. May higit 33,000 o 73.28% ng mga pampublikong paaralan ang nagsasagawa na ng face-to-face classes.

"Matapos ang halos dalawang taon ng pagtugon natin sa mga hamon ng pandemya, napapanahon nang buksan natin ang lahat ng mga paaralan upang makabalik na ang mga mag-aaral. Habang patuloy ang pagbangon ng iba't ibang sektor, dapat nating tiyaking hindi mapag-iiwanan ang sektor ng edukasyon," ani Gatchalian, Chairman ng Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture.

Nanindigan din si Gatchalian na sa pagbubukas ng 19th Congress, maghahain siya ng mga panukalang batas upang iangat ang kalidad ng edukasyon at paigtingin ang pagbangon ng sektor mula sa pinsala ng pandemya. Kamakailan ay niratipikahan na ng Kongreso ang panukalang batas na lumikha ng Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II).