Presidential aspirant and Partido Federal ng Pilipinas standard-bearer Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. called on the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Health (DOH) to start addressing the mental and physical health of students and teachers as pilot testing of face-to-face classes classes begins on Nov. 15.
The former lawmaker said that the government is making a crucial decision to have pilot testing of face-to-face classes especially in the National Capital Region (NCR) since there is a rapid increase of students suffering from mental health conditions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns.
“Tama ‘yung ginagawa ng ating gobyerno na magkaroon ng pilot testing ng face-to-face classes lalong-lalo na dito sa NCR na kung saan sa mahabang panahon ay hindi pinapayagang lumabas ang mga minor, at sa ngayon na nalalapit na ang pagbalik ng mga estudyante at guro sa eskwelahan dapat pagtuunan natin ng pansin ‘yung mental health ng mga bata at mga guro (The government is doing right in having a pilot testing of face-to-face classes especially here in NCR which for a long time has not allowed minors to go out and now that the return of students and teachers in schools is near we have to focus on the mental health of the children and teachers),” said Marcos.
“Siyempre kapag may mental health issues ang mga kabataang ito, bukod sa pag-aaral ay maaapektuhan din ang kanilang kalusugang pisikal kaya naman bigyan dapat natin ito ng karampatang pansin (Naturally when there are mental health issues with the youth, besides their studies their physical health is also affected that’s why we need to give them proper attention).” The former senator also cited nations like China which held face-to-face classes with emphasis on the psychological state of each student and teacher.
“Magandang tingnan natin ‘yung ginagawa ng ibang bansa, huwag na tayong lumayo, like China, paano ba nila sinimulan ‘yung face-to-face classes at inalalayan ang mga bata at guro? ‘Di ba nagkaroon sila ng mga test at naglagay din sila ng mga equipment sa mga paaralan na tutulong sa mga estudyante na manumbalik ‘yung kanilang sigla at kumpiyansa (It’s better that we look into what other countries are doing, let’s not go far, like China, how did they start their face-to-face classes and supported the children and teachers? Didn’t they have a test and placed equipment in their schools to help their students recover their confidence),” the former Ilocos Norte congressman said.
“Well, I am confident that our government will take these issues seriously, may inilaan na silang budget para diyan kaya nasisiguro ko na magiging maayos itong pilot testing ng face-to-face classes this coming November 15 (Well, I am confident that our government will take these issues seriously, they have allocated a budget for that so i’m sure it will be an orderly pilot testing of face-to-face classes this coming November 15),” said Marcos. (Melvin Sarangay)
