Opening of classes challenges: distancing, hygiene and sanitation in public schools, budget cut to education

The country’s readiness to open schools this August vis-à-vis the Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) preparations are now being questioned in light of the order to reopen schools in August.

In a public briefing held by the group Cure COVID group, the group tackled questions our nation’s readiness for the reopening of schools for the upcoming Academic Year 2020-2021. They cast fears should the classes commence this August.

Dr. Cynthia Cuayo-Juico, Pediatrician at Manila Doctors Hospital, raised concerns about the health of students at the opening of the school despite the obvious threat of COVID-19 despite the small number of child victims.

She said it is possible that social distancing (from home, public transportation and in school) cannot be observed in public schools. Hygiene is also highly questionable as the DepEd’s facilities and ability to meet the hygiene needs of students and sanitation needs of the school during this time.

“Leave it to the child, leave it to the parents, it can’t be,” said Cuayo-Juico.

Kabataan Partylist Rep. Sarah Elago said over 35 million are affected in the education sector in the pandemic crisis and 31 million of them are students.

She highlighted the common dilemma of the students during the lockdown including no internet access at home, unreliable connectivity, materials or books left in the dorm, payment of tuition fees, no refund of unused school fees, and mental distress, among others.

“Kaya ganoon na lamang ang pangangailangan ng komprehensibong aksyong medical laban sa COVID-19 dahil dito nakasalalay ang pagbubukas ng klase.”

[There is the need for comprehensive medical actions to fight COVID-19 because opening of classes will depend on them.]

Besides, the National Budget Circular No. 580 released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on April 22 has budget cut across all departments, government agencies, national government offices, government-owned and controlled corporations and state universities and colleges. The memo advised that for 2020 national budget, 35% of programmed appropriations of the year will no longer be made available for release and 10% of maintenance and other operating expenses and capital outlay shall no longer be available for obligation.

They said this would mean that education budget will be cut by P50 billion.

Former UP Diliman chancellor Mike Tan assailed the budget cut.

“Ngayong crisis hindi dapat kaltasan kundi dapat dagdagan,” said Tan.

[In times of crisis, they should add and not cut the budget.]

He insisted on the accountability of the government on the education sector during this pandemic crisis.

“These [students] are the future of the country, hindi dapat natin pabayaan [we should not forsake them],” he said.

Meanwhile, Anakbayan Metro Manila said in a statement that the woes of all sectors, students included, come from the situation that the government has not addressed the public health crisis as such. The group said government should conduct true mass testing now that they have allowed parts of the economy to open up.

They hit how the government has run over the various aspects of the lives of the people while resorting to government a militarist lockdown and still not embarking on medical solutions and ramped up of medical interventions to address the pandemic, all in the name of “raising the capacity.”