SENATOR Ralph Recto on Thursday urged the Department of Education to set up ‘laboratory schools’ to test the safety of limited face-to-face classes.

“That is the science lesson DepEd should study. Debates on whether to open classes should now move from theory to trials,” Recto stressed.

The senator called on DepEd to work with the Department of Health, local government officials, Local School Boards, and the country’s best scientific minds to design several classroom settings safe for children and teachers.

“For example, begin with 10 students in a room that is well ventilated. Tapos, mask lahat. Constant hand washing. Temperature check. And instead of the whole day in school, cut it to half, and limit it to 2-3 times a week. Teachers with medical clearance. Kumpleto ang safeguards. Will this work?” Recto said.

He said these closely monitored trial classes can be held in Covid19-free areas, possibly in remote barangays or self-contained communities which have not recorded a single case of the virus in months.

“One third ng mga towns, walang Covid case. ‘Yung mga schools sa maliliit na isla na hindi labas-pasok ang mga tao, hindi ba puwede simulan doon? Ito ‘yung tinatawag nila na granular and customized approach. Because a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work,” the senator said.

For the peace of mind of participants, the government should guarantee the full cost of hospitalization, he added.

“Walang pilitan, because what we want is a community project and not something that is imposed by the government,” the lawmaker said.

“If and when limited face-to-face classes are found feasible, give the community the power to decide to open classes safely — but not the power to overrule health rules,” Recto said.

He pointed out that health protocols will remain even if the government will have rolled out its vaccination program.

“We cannot right away go back to jam packed schools with standing-room only classes,” Recto said.

“What if Covid has long-haul effects on society? Hindi naman forever distance learning ang mga bata. Kung 2024 pa ang vaccination matatapos, at last priority ang mga bata, don’t tell me that this mass incarceration of our youth will have no impact on mass education,” he added.