By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is backing the return of face-to-face classes for the upcoming 2021-2022 academic year.

Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, was in Valladolid, Negros Occidental over the weekend attending the groundbreaking of the Central Philippine State University (CPSU) in the town.

According to Gatchalian, the majority of the teaching staff and parents are having a hard time with the present distance learning being implemented.

Gatchalian also stated a lot of the students are also unable to go online due to different limitations.

The senator believes that the resumption of normal classes is the only way to effectively educate the students in the country.

“I really support opening up of face-to-face [classes]. Naghirap ang magulang at guro dito sa distance learning at marami tayong mga bata na hindi nakakapag-online. So the best way to reach out to them and to teach them is to go back to normal,” Gatchalian said.

However, the senator also said a science-based approach is also needed in order to make sure that the face-to-face classes in every school in the country is safe.

Earlier this month, President Rodrigo Duterte scrapped the proposed trial of face-to-facer classes due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, pointed out the president doesn’t want to resume face-to-face classes as the vaccination drive had not yet started./DGB, WDJ