ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro on Wednesday called on the Department of Education to set clear policies and specific guidelines for the pilot implementation of limited face-to-face classes in January.

“As we recognize that the face-to-face classes remain to be the ideal conduct of learning, DepEd must implement strict policies and guidelines to guarantee that there will be no Covid19 outbreak when face-to-face classes resumes,” Castro said.

“Hindi pupuwedeng maiiwan na naman sa ere ang mga guro at kukuhanin na naman sa sarili nilang bulsa ang mga kagamitang kakailanganin sa pagbabalik-eskwela,” she added.

The lawmaker stressed that the Education department should limit the number of students in a classroom and determine if class hours will be shortened.

Health protocols should also be strictly observed, thus the need to set up hand washing stations in schools, she added.

“Dahil boluntaryo naman sa parte ng mga estudyante at magulang ang pagbabalik sa face-to-face na klase, kailangang linawin ng DepEd kung ito ba ay magiging boluntaryo sa mga guro at personnel. Dapat siguruhin na may free medical check-up, health screening, at mass testing at may kapasidad ang bawat eskuwelahan sa panahon ng health emergencies,” she said.

Castro also stressed the need to immediately hear and pass her bill regulating class size. Establishing a standard class size is necessary to ensure the access to quality of education with or without pandemic, she said.

Castro added that at least one nurse should be stationed in each school.

“Kailangan munang siguruhin ng DepEd na may mga tiyak silang pamantayan, saka lamang tayo makakasiguro na handa sila sa ligtas na pagbabalik ng face-to-face na klase at hindi nito nailalagay sa kapahamakan ang buhay ng bawat isa,” she said.