DepEd 7 Director Salustiano Jimenez told SunStar Cebu on Thursday, September 15, 2022, that they have not received any reports of absenteeism among students not only because of Covid-19, but all kinds of illnesses.
Jimenez said that during his visit to some schools, he received good feedback from teachers concerning the students’ attendance.
Jimenez cited the students’ eagerness to go back to school physically after the two years of dealing with learning modules at home due to Covid-19 pandemic as the reason behind the improvement in class attendance.
Jimenez hoped that this scenario will go on until the school year 2022-2023 ends.
He, however, called on the parents not to let their children attend classes should they have any Covid-related symptoms such as cough, colds, and fever.
Jimenez also urged the teachers to observe minimum health protocols such as gradual handwashing and wearing of face masks, particularly in the classrooms, and always monitor their students’ health.
Earlier, the DepEd Central Office said it had received reports of some teachers and students testing positive for coronavirus three weeks after face-to-face classes resumed.
They refused, however, to give details on the reported Covid-19 cases as these are still being verified.
On Thursday, September 15, DepEd spokesman Michael Poa said teachers and students should continue wearing face masks inside the classrooms, which are considered enclosed spaces.
Poa also said they would consult the Department of Health (DOH) after President Ferdinand “BongBong” Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order 3, allowing the optional wearing of face masks outdoors nationwide.
DOH earlier said that parents should make sure their children wear face masks when attending classes.
“Dahil iba ang interaksyon ng bata sa eskwelahan lalo na indoors pa rin ang eskwelahan (The interaction of children in schools is different, especially that schools are indoors),” DOH officer-in-charge Rosario Vergeire said. (HIC)