SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian urged the government to ensure the safety of learners and implement measures on learning recovery.

Gatchalian visited schools in Valenzuela City, including the Marulas Central Elementary School and Valenzuela National High School, on the first day of classes to check on the preparedness of their teachers and learners.

“Let’s come up with innovative ways, partner with the DOH and local government units, see if we can set up vaccination sites in schools, and encourage more children to get their vaccines,” Gatchalian said, referring to the Department of Health.

“Tayo po ay naka-monitor sa estado ng mga paaralan upang siguruhing bukod sa ligtas ang muling pagbabalik ng mga mag-aaral sa kanilang klase ay mabibigyan sila ng dekalidad na edukasyon tungo sa hangaring walang mag-aaral ang mapag-iiwanan, may kapansanan man o wala,” he added.

He also renewed his call on the DepEd to address learning poverty.

To address the effects of learning loss, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education said that expanding Covid19 vaccination coverage among learners is an important step to prevent outbreaks.

Gatchalian filed Senate Bill 150 or the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning or ARAL Program Act to institute a nationwide learning recovery program.

The program shall cover the most essential learning competencies in Language and Mathematics for Grades 1 to 10, and Science for Grades 3 to 10 and will also focus on Reading to develop the critical and analytical thinking skills of learners.