Senators urge school officials to implement blended learning amid concerns on pertussis, hot weather

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday, April 2 urged school officials to consider implementing blended learning as parents raise concerns about the threats of whooping cough and the extreme hot weather.

Gatchalian noted that the threat of pertussis (whooping cough) has made parents extremely concerned over the past few weeks and thus, school principals should consider implementing blended learning.

“Nais nating paalalahanan ang mga punong-guro na kung may banta sa kaligtasan ng ating mga mag-aaral, maaaring magpatupad ang mga paaralan ng blended learning lalo na’t pinangangambahan natin ang banta ng pertussis at mas mainit na panahon (We want to remind principlans that if there is a prevailing threat in the safety of our students, the school has the right to implement blended learning, especially since there is a fear of pertussis and hot temperature),” Gatchalian said in a statement.

“Maipagpapatuloy na natin ang edukasyon ng mga bata, mabibigyan pa natin ng prayoridad ang kanilang kalusugan at kaligtasan (We can continue the children’s education and at the same time prioritize their health and safety),” the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education also said.

The lawmaker, likewise, urged school authorities to implement health and safety measures in schools, including the promotion of good respiratory hygiene and proper and regular handwashing, to protect learners from pertussis.

Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada echoed the proposal noting that “nothing is barring local government units and school heads from switching back to blended or distance learning due to the scorching weather.”

Estrada noted that the Department of Education (DepEd) has issued an existing department order—DO No. 44 series of 2022—in the event of suspension or cancellation of in-person classes.

“Naiintindihan natin ang alalahanin ng mga magulang, guro at maging ng mga mag-aaral dala ng matinding init na nararanasan nitong mga nakaraang araw (We understand the concerns of the parents, teachers and even the students over the extreme hot weather that we are experiencing over the past few days),” Estrada said.

“Bukod sa mahirap tumutok sa pag-aaral dahil napakainit ng panahon, ang kapakanan ng mga kabataang mag-aaral ang dapat natin isaalang-alang sa ngayon (Aside from the difficulty of focusing on studying due to the hot weather, we need to consider the welfare of our young students at this time),” he said.

He also said the DepEd order can be used as a basis by LGUs and school officials to prevent pertussis outbreaks in schools.

“Similar measures may also be taken by CHED and TESDA,” Estrada said referring to the Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

“Those in government offices, however, may have to resort to appropriate measures since we cannot afford a suspension of operations of agencies and services to the public,” he said. — Hannah Torregoza