Philippines to start pilot run of face-to-face classes Monday | ABS-CBN
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Philippines to start pilot run of face-to-face classes Monday
Philippines to start pilot run of face-to-face classes Monday
Jaehwa Bernardo,
ABS-CBN News
Published Nov 14, 2021 12:08 PM PHT
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Updated Nov 14, 2021 12:34 PM PHT
MANILA — The Philippines is set to begin on Monday a pilot run of limited in-person classes in select public schools, the first time that basic education institutions will hold classroom sessions after nearly two years of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
MANILA — The Philippines is set to begin on Monday a pilot run of limited in-person classes in select public schools, the first time that basic education institutions will hold classroom sessions after nearly two years of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The pilot implementation will take place in 100 schools selected by the Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Health (DOH), mostly from far-flung areas in the provinces deemed “low risk” to COVID-19.
The pilot implementation will take place in 100 schools selected by the Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Health (DOH), mostly from far-flung areas in the provinces deemed “low risk” to COVID-19.
DepEd Planning Service Director Roger Masapol has said the resumption of in-person classes does not signal a return to how schooling was conducted prior to the health crisis.
DepEd Planning Service Director Roger Masapol has said the resumption of in-person classes does not signal a return to how schooling was conducted prior to the health crisis.
The in-person or face-to-face classes will only complement distance learning modalities, with classroom sessions set to be held every other week.
The in-person or face-to-face classes will only complement distance learning modalities, with classroom sessions set to be held every other week.
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“Hindi po siya full face-to-face, 'yong pagbabalik nila (students). Ang recommended ng DOH is one week [of] face-to-face, one week off sa school. So pupuwede siyang alternating,” he said in a recent Teleradyo interview.
“Hindi po siya full face-to-face, 'yong pagbabalik nila (students). Ang recommended ng DOH is one week [of] face-to-face, one week off sa school. So pupuwede siyang alternating,” he said in a recent Teleradyo interview.
So far, only students from Kindergarten to Grade 3 and senior high school will attend physical classes, which will also see reduced class sizes. Schools have also retrofitted their facilities to implement health protocols and avoid the possible spread of COVID-19.
So far, only students from Kindergarten to Grade 3 and senior high school will attend physical classes, which will also see reduced class sizes. Schools have also retrofitted their facilities to implement health protocols and avoid the possible spread of COVID-19.
In Tamulaya Elementary School in Quezon province’s Polillo Island, school officials enforced distancing between students' chairs and installed plastic barriers around each of them.
In Tamulaya Elementary School in Quezon province’s Polillo Island, school officials enforced distancing between students' chairs and installed plastic barriers around each of them.
Schools in Zambales, meanwhile, installed triages, and handwashing and isolation facilities.
Schools in Zambales, meanwhile, installed triages, and handwashing and isolation facilities.
Some of the participating schools also conducted simulation of physical classes and oriented students to ensure that they follow health protocols.
Some of the participating schools also conducted simulation of physical classes and oriented students to ensure that they follow health protocols.
Only vaccinated school personnel can join the pilot run while students are required to wear face masks on campus at all times, according to officials.
Only vaccinated school personnel can join the pilot run while students are required to wear face masks on campus at all times, according to officials.
Education Secretary Leonor Briones earlier instructed participating schools to prepare contingency plans in case of a COVID-19 outbreak.
Education Secretary Leonor Briones earlier instructed participating schools to prepare contingency plans in case of a COVID-19 outbreak.
Schools will follow the usual DOH protocol on isolation and contact tracing once any participant exhibits COVID-19 symptoms or gets infected, said Education Assistant Secretary Malcolm Garma.
Schools will follow the usual DOH protocol on isolation and contact tracing once any participant exhibits COVID-19 symptoms or gets infected, said Education Assistant Secretary Malcolm Garma.
Initially, President Rodrigo Duterte approved only 120 schools for the pilot implementation, with 20 private schools set to begin their in-person classes on Nov. 22.
Initially, President Rodrigo Duterte approved only 120 schools for the pilot implementation, with 20 private schools set to begin their in-person classes on Nov. 22.
But on Friday, the DepEd announced that Duterte has allowed more schools to be included in the pilot. The additional schools will be named once they secure clearance from the education and health departments.
But on Friday, the DepEd announced that Duterte has allowed more schools to be included in the pilot. The additional schools will be named once they secure clearance from the education and health departments.
CALLS FOR TESTING, SPECIAL VACCINATION
Still, some groups remain unsatisfied with the preparations and guidelines for the program.
Still, some groups remain unsatisfied with the preparations and guidelines for the program.
Last week, they issued a “unity statement” which called on both the DepEd and Commission on Higher Education to hold weekly COVID-19 testing for everyone attending limited in-person classes and a special vaccination program in areas where the schools are located, among other demands.
Last week, they issued a “unity statement” which called on both the DepEd and Commission on Higher Education to hold weekly COVID-19 testing for everyone attending limited in-person classes and a special vaccination program in areas where the schools are located, among other demands.
The statement was signed by groups such as the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), National Union of Students of the Philippines, Coalition for People's Rights to Health, Salinlahi Alliance for Children's Concerns and Kabataan Party-list, among others.
The statement was signed by groups such as the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), National Union of Students of the Philippines, Coalition for People's Rights to Health, Salinlahi Alliance for Children's Concerns and Kabataan Party-list, among others.
“Tiyakin natin na ligtas ang pagbabalik-paaralan. Alam ko ang mga kapuwa ko guro ay handang-handa at sana ang ating national government ay mabigyan ito ng sapat na pondo,” Kris Navales of ACT told TeleRadyo on Sunday.
“Tiyakin natin na ligtas ang pagbabalik-paaralan. Alam ko ang mga kapuwa ko guro ay handang-handa at sana ang ating national government ay mabigyan ito ng sapat na pondo,” Kris Navales of ACT told TeleRadyo on Sunday.
(Let’s make sure that the return to school is safe. I know that my fellow teachers are prepared and I hope that the national government will provide sufficient funding for this.)
(Let’s make sure that the return to school is safe. I know that my fellow teachers are prepared and I hope that the national government will provide sufficient funding for this.)
Education Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla has said each participating school has received an additional funding of P100,000.
Education Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla has said each participating school has received an additional funding of P100,000.
The pilot run is the first in the government's three-phased plan to restart in-person classes even as the country continued to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Philippines is one of the last two countries in the world to reopen schools since the health crisis began, the other being Venezuela.
The pilot run is the first in the government's three-phased plan to restart in-person classes even as the country continued to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Philippines is one of the last two countries in the world to reopen schools since the health crisis began, the other being Venezuela.
The DepEd pushed for limited in-person classes as it acknowledged the limitations of remote learning, such as teachers’ and students’ difficulty in accessing gadgets and stable internet connection.
The DepEd pushed for limited in-person classes as it acknowledged the limitations of remote learning, such as teachers’ and students’ difficulty in accessing gadgets and stable internet connection.
Based on the DepEd’s timeline, the pilot study will end on January 31. The expansion phase, under which more schools or grade levels will be allowed to hold in-person classes, is scheduled to start on March 7.
Based on the DepEd’s timeline, the pilot study will end on January 31. The expansion phase, under which more schools or grade levels will be allowed to hold in-person classes, is scheduled to start on March 7.
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education
basic education
face-to-face classes
pilot face-to-face classes
Department of Education
distance learning
blended learning
Department of Health
School Year 2021-2022
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World awaits Trump tariff deadline on Canada, Mexico, China
World awaits Trump tariff deadline on Canada, Mexico, China
Agence France-Presse
Published Feb 01, 2025 01:50 AM PHT
The global economy is bracing for impact as US President Donald Trump's deadline to impose sweeping tariffs on the three largest US trading partners -- Canada, Mexico and China -- draws near.
The global economy is bracing for impact as US President Donald Trump's deadline to impose sweeping tariffs on the three largest US trading partners -- Canada, Mexico and China -- draws near.
Trump said shortly after taking office that he planned to introduce 25 percent tariffs on neighbors Canada and Mexico on February 1, unless they cracked down on illegal migrants crossing the US border and the flow of deadly fentanyl.
Trump said shortly after taking office that he planned to introduce 25 percent tariffs on neighbors Canada and Mexico on February 1, unless they cracked down on illegal migrants crossing the US border and the flow of deadly fentanyl.
He is also eyeing an additional 10 percent duty for Chinese goods on Saturday, similarly over fentanyl.
He is also eyeing an additional 10 percent duty for Chinese goods on Saturday, similarly over fentanyl.
While Trump has not specified tools for the new tariffs, analysts have suggested he could tap emergency economic powers -- which allow the president to regulate imports during a national emergency. But this could be hindered by lawsuits.
While Trump has not specified tools for the new tariffs, analysts have suggested he could tap emergency economic powers -- which allow the president to regulate imports during a national emergency. But this could be hindered by lawsuits.
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On Thursday, he reiterated commitment to levies on all three countries, while re-upping threats of 100 percent tariffs on BRICS nations -- a bloc including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- if they create a rival to the US dollar.
On Thursday, he reiterated commitment to levies on all three countries, while re-upping threats of 100 percent tariffs on BRICS nations -- a bloc including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- if they create a rival to the US dollar.
Fentanyl, many times more powerful than heroin, has been responsible for tens of thousands of overdose deaths a year.
Fentanyl, many times more powerful than heroin, has been responsible for tens of thousands of overdose deaths a year.
Beijing has rebuffed claims of its complicity in the deadly trade, while Canada has countered that below one percent of undocumented migrants and fentanyl entering the United States comes through its northern border.
Beijing has rebuffed claims of its complicity in the deadly trade, while Canada has countered that below one percent of undocumented migrants and fentanyl entering the United States comes through its northern border.
JPMorgan analysts believe tariffs are "a bargaining chip" to accelerate the renegotiation of a trade deal between the United States, Mexico and Canada.
JPMorgan analysts believe tariffs are "a bargaining chip" to accelerate the renegotiation of a trade deal between the United States, Mexico and Canada.
"However, potentially dismantling a decades-long free-trade area could be a significant shock," said a recent JPMorgan note.
"However, potentially dismantling a decades-long free-trade area could be a significant shock," said a recent JPMorgan note.
One lesson from Trump's first term was that policy changes could be announced or threatened on short notice, it added.
One lesson from Trump's first term was that policy changes could be announced or threatened on short notice, it added.
Tariffs are paid by US businesses to the government on purchases from abroad and the economic weight can fall on importers, foreign suppliers or consumers.
Tariffs are paid by US businesses to the government on purchases from abroad and the economic weight can fall on importers, foreign suppliers or consumers.
Another looming deadline is April 1, by which Trump has called for reviews including on trade deficits.
Another looming deadline is April 1, by which Trump has called for reviews including on trade deficits.
- Recession risk -
Wendong Zhang, an assistant professor at Cornell University, said Canada and Mexico would suffer the most under 25 percent US tariffs and with proportional retaliations.
Wendong Zhang, an assistant professor at Cornell University, said Canada and Mexico would suffer the most under 25 percent US tariffs and with proportional retaliations.
"Canada and Mexico stand to lose 3.6 percent and two percent of real GDP respectively, while the US would suffer a 0.3 percent real GDP loss," he added.
"Canada and Mexico stand to lose 3.6 percent and two percent of real GDP respectively, while the US would suffer a 0.3 percent real GDP loss," he added.
Blanket US tariffs and Ottawa's response in kind could cause Canada to fall into a recession this year, Tony Stillo of Oxford Economics told AFP, adding that the United States also risks a shallow downturn.
Blanket US tariffs and Ottawa's response in kind could cause Canada to fall into a recession this year, Tony Stillo of Oxford Economics told AFP, adding that the United States also risks a shallow downturn.
Mexico could face a similar situation, Tim Hunter of Oxford Economics added.
Mexico could face a similar situation, Tim Hunter of Oxford Economics added.
It is unclear if there could be exceptions. Trump said he expected to decide Thursday whether to include crude oil imports in the new levies.
It is unclear if there could be exceptions. Trump said he expected to decide Thursday whether to include crude oil imports in the new levies.
Canada and Mexico supplied more than 70 percent of US crude oil imports, said a Congressional Research Service report.
Canada and Mexico supplied more than 70 percent of US crude oil imports, said a Congressional Research Service report.
Stillo noted that heavy oil is "exported by Canada, refined in the US, and there aren't easy substitutes for that in the US."
Stillo noted that heavy oil is "exported by Canada, refined in the US, and there aren't easy substitutes for that in the US."
US merchandise imports from both countries largely enter duty free or with very low rates on average, said the Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE).
US merchandise imports from both countries largely enter duty free or with very low rates on average, said the Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE).
A tariff hike would shock both industrial buyers and consumers, cutting across everything from machinery to fruits, PIIE added.
A tariff hike would shock both industrial buyers and consumers, cutting across everything from machinery to fruits, PIIE added.
Canadian officials said Ottawa would provide pandemic-level financial support to workers and businesses if US tariffs hit, vowing their readiness to respond.
Canadian officials said Ottawa would provide pandemic-level financial support to workers and businesses if US tariffs hit, vowing their readiness to respond.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she was confident her country could avoid the levy.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she was confident her country could avoid the levy.
But Trump's commerce secretary nominee Howard Lutnick said Wednesday "there will be no tariff" if Canada and Mexico acted on immigration and fentanyl.
But Trump's commerce secretary nominee Howard Lutnick said Wednesday "there will be no tariff" if Canada and Mexico acted on immigration and fentanyl.
- 'Grand bargain' -
Trump is also mulling more tariffs on Chinese goods.
Trump is also mulling more tariffs on Chinese goods.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters this week: "The president has said that he is very much still considering that for February 1st."
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters this week: "The president has said that he is very much still considering that for February 1st."
Beijing has vowed to defend its "national interests," and a foreign ministry spokeswoman previously warned that "there are no winners in a trade war."
Beijing has vowed to defend its "national interests," and a foreign ministry spokeswoman previously warned that "there are no winners in a trade war."
On the election campaign trail, Trump raised the idea of levies of 60 percent or higher on Chinese imports.
On the election campaign trail, Trump raised the idea of levies of 60 percent or higher on Chinese imports.
Isaac Boltansky of financial services firm BTIG expects "incremental tariff increases" on Chinese goods, with consumer goods likely to face lower hikes.
Isaac Boltansky of financial services firm BTIG expects "incremental tariff increases" on Chinese goods, with consumer goods likely to face lower hikes.
"Our sense is that Trump will vacillate between carrots and sticks with China, with the ultimate goal being some sort of grand bargain before the end of his term," he said in a recent note.
"Our sense is that Trump will vacillate between carrots and sticks with China, with the ultimate goal being some sort of grand bargain before the end of his term," he said in a recent note.
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