SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian again pressed for the immediate pilot testing of localized, limited face-to-face classes in low-risk areas, saying that another year of school closures could impact learners and long-term national development.

In 2019, prior to the Covid19 pandemic, the World Bank noted that learning poverty in the Philippines was estimated at 69.5 percent, a figure that could worsen because of school closures.

Learning poverty is defined as the share of 10-year-old children who cannot read and understand a simple story.

The World Bank warned that the country’s competitiveness would also be undermined because children’s economic potential and productivity in adulthood will be affected.

“Dapat sa lalong madaling panahon bumalik na tayo sa face-to-face, hindi na natin kaya ang isa pang taon na walang face-to-face. Maraming magulang ang hirap, maraming bata ang hirap, at ang bata po ay hindi natututo,” Gatchalian said.

The Department of Education earlier said that 120 schools are lined up for the proposed pilot test of face-to-face classes.

The agency is also developing joint guidelines with the Department of Health on the reintroduction of in-person learning.

Gatchalian cited the importance of ensuring the capacity of schools to enforce public health protocols, including the installation of adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities.

The lawmaker also reiterated the urgency of vaccinating teachers and learners, especially those aged 12-17, to protect them from the threat of the more transmissible Delta variant.

Earlier this year, Gatchalian sponsored the Senate’s Adopted Resolution No. 92, which called for the immediate launch of pilot testing of localized limited face-to-face classes in low-risk areas.