DR. GUIDO David, OCTA Research fellow, said that there is a possibility that Covid19 cases will increase when classes reopen later this month.

“We have to set expectations talaga na it’s very possible na magkakaron ng pagtaas ng bilang ng kaso kapag nagbalik sa eskwelahan ang mga bata,” David said.

However, he clarified that OCTA is not against the resumption of face-to-face classes.

“Hindi naman natin sinasabi na ‘wag natin [sila] ibalik sa eskwelahan kasi more than two years na nakakulong sila. Affected ‘yung ating quality of education at ‘yung schooling ng mga bata, ‘yung social life nila so, kailangan ibalik natin,” he said.

David reminded schools to strictly enforce policies on proper air ventilation and physical segregation to prevent Covid19 infection in schools.

He also stressed the importance of getting inoculated against the virus.

The Department of Education earlier said that School Year 2022-2023 will begin on August 22 and will end on July 7, 2023.