HINAMON ni Kabataan Partylist Rep. Sarah Jane Elago ang gobyerno na ilabas ang komprehensibo nitong plano upang matiyak na ligtas ang mga estudyante sa pinaplanong face-to-face classes sa Enero.

Muli ring kinalampag ni Elago ang pamahalaan hinggil sa kanilang matagal nang demands para sa education sector.

Kinabibilangan ito ng implementasyon ng minimum health standards at pagsasagawa ng free mass testing sa mga paaralan; pagtiyak na ang bawat paaralan ay may functional clinics na may sapat na medical equipment, medicine supplies, at health and sanitation personnel; at paglalaan ng pondo para sa karagdagang classrooms, comfort rooms, hand-washing facilities, school canteens, at iba pang school facilities.

“While face-to-face classes is still the ideal mode of learning, the government should show us a comprehensive health plan to ensure the safety of students, teachers, and other school personnel for the safe reopening of classes,”pahayag ni Elago.

Tahasan ding sinabi ng kongresista na sa gitna ng pandemic, bigo ang Commission on Higher Education at ang DepEd na matiyak ang dekalidad na edukasyon.

Iginiit ng mambabatas na sa isasagawang pilot testing ng face-to-face classes, dapat ibuhos ng gobyerno ang lahat ng kailangang resources upang matiyak ang ligtas na pag-aaral.

“The government has been deaf to the calls and needs of the education sector since the start of the pandemic. Worst of all, it has ignored our calls for mass testing, tracing, and containment which is a vital part of ensuring the safe return to physical classes,” dagdag ni Elago.

Muling tinawag ni Elago na anti-poor at anti-student ang mga ipinatupad na programa hinggil sa edukasyon.

“Online classes are anti-poor as not everyone–students and teachers have access to the internet, laptops, and android phones. And the government cannot even commit to providing the necessary materials for online learning both for the teachers and students on time,” iginiit pa ni Elago.

“The heavy workloads, the lack of supporting infrastructure, and subsidies for its implementation have caused mental health problems to some students. Teachers, as well, have suffered through this modality,” dagdag pa niya.