SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian said private schools could consider temporarily moving to online classes to help reduce fuel consumption, but stressed that face-to-face learning should remain the primary mode of instruction, especially for public schools.

Gatchalian noted a key difference between private and public educational institutions. He explained that many students in private schools commute using private vehicles, so temporarily suspending in-person classes could significantly lower petroleum use.

“Private schools can consider that option because many of their students use private vehicles. Shifting to online classes could help reduce fuel consumption,” Gatchalian said. He added that private school students generally have better access to internet connectivity and digital devices, making online learning more feasible.

However, the senator said the same approach would not be practical for public schools. He pointed out that many public school students live within their communities and typically walk or take short tricycle rides to school, meaning their daily commute has minimal impact on fuel use.

Gatchalian also warned that moving public schools online could harm academic progress, recalling lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic. “During the pandemic, many students’ learning regressed because they lacked access to the internet and computers,” he said.

Because of these challenges, Gatchalian does not recommend a full shift to online learning for public schools. Despite acknowledging that online classes could reduce fuel use in some cases, he emphasized that face-to-face learning remains the most effective method, particularly for basic education.

“Face-to-face is still the best for basic education,” he concluded.