Marcos to 'really push' for face-to-face classes in areas with low COVID-19 cases

MANILA - Sen. Imee Marcos on Monday said she would "really, really push" for face-to-face classes to resume in areas where coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases remain low.

A lot of schools in islands and mountainous regions have no internet signals and having printed materials delivered to homes is very difficult, said Marcos, who hails from the Ilocos region in northern Philippines.

"I will really, really push for that. In many, many places, that's (face-to-face classes) the only alternative," she said in a virtual interview with reporters.

If physical classes cannot resume in isolated areas, a lot of students will be "left behind" while students from cities with good internet connection continue learning through online classes, the senator said.

Under Marcos' proposal, each class should be limited to 15 or 20 facemask-wearing students so that there will be adequate space for physical distancing.

Other schools can be used as internet hubs with a limited-seating capacity, the senator said.

"Doon ilalagay ang ilang computer, WiFi, learning materials para mapuntahan ng mga kabataan on a scheduled, staggered and COVID-safe basis," she said.

(Several computers, WiFi and learning materials will be place there so that students can access them on a scheduled, staggered and COVID-safe basis.)

"Mahal din para sa mga parents itong remote learning... Ang laki kasi ng gastos... talagang hindi kaya," she said, noting that by not allowing children to go to school, parents would have to shoulder heftier electricity bills.

(Remote learning is also costly for parents because there are a lot of expenses... they really cannot afford it.)

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier banned students from physically coming to school while a COVID-19 vaccine has yet to be discovered.

• DepEd: No vaccine, no face-to-face classes

Classes in public schools are expected to begin in August through online classes or blended learning. Students without internet connection are expected to get their lessons through TV and radio shows and printed materials.