Two Quezon City schools included in the list of schools that will commence face-to-face classes on Monday have assured parents and students of safety protocols against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
The Department of Education added the Bagong Silangan Elementary School and Payatas B Annex Elementary School to the 28 schools in Metro Manila that will conduct physical classes after passing the agency and the Department of Health (DOH) assessment.
Mayor Joy Belmonte said the safety of children is the city’s priority.
“Ikinatutuwa ng pamahalaang lungsod na magiging bahagi ng pilot face-to-face classes ang dalawa sa ating mga pampublikong paaralan. Makatitiyak ang mga magulang na magiging ligtas ang kanilang mga anak, maging ang mga guro, sa kanilang pagbabalik-eskwela (The city is happy that two of the city’s public schools will be part of the pilot face-to-face classes. Our parents are assured that their children, as well as the teachers, will be safe as they return to school),” Belmonte said in a statement.
The city government started issuing safety seals to establishments, schools, and institutions last month to certify their compliance with minimum health and safety standards and building regulations.
“Ang safety seal ang magiging batayan na nakasunod sa pamantayan ng health and safety protocols ang paaralan kaya’t nakatitiyak ang mga magulang, pati na mga guro, na magiging safe ang kanilang mga anak kapag nagsimula na ang face-to-face classes sa lungsod (The safety seal serves as the basis that the school is compliant in terms of health and safety protocols, so parents and even teachers are assured that they are safe when the face-to-face classes start),” Belmonte said.
Belmonte joined the inspection of the schools, together with the city’s Department of Building Official, Schools Division Office, City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, and Education Affairs Unit last month.
The teams also inspected St. Luke’s Medical Center – College of Medicine, Far Eastern University, Our Lady of Fatima University, University of the East – Ramon Magsaysay, and World Citi Colleges that all require hands-on training and laboratory classes.
They made sure that the schools have water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, proper ventilation in classrooms, and enough space in classrooms.
There were also physical barriers, markers, and signages in classrooms and school premises to ensure observance of physical distancing, isolation rooms, and standby ambulance units.
Source: Philippines News Agency
