Department of Education on the lookout for children’s mental well-being
MANILA – Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones today said they are monitoring events related to the spread of COVID-19 as they explore the possibility of reopening schools for basic education students.
Speaking at the regular Malacañang Press Briefing hosted by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Secretary Briones said President Duterte opted to have school closed to protect children from possible harm due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Children have proven to be resilient with the low fatality figures due to COVID-19. We are also looking into prevailing conditions in some small islands like Vanuatu and Nauru and even Mongolia which claim to have zero casualties,” she said.
Secretary Briones said whatever decision they will make, it will be based on data analytics.
She added they are looking into the conditions in the National Capital Region and CALABARZON where COVID-19 figures are high.
Secretary Briones said they are closely monitoring the impact of COVID-19 on school children’s mental health conditions because parents’ and teachers’ roles have expanded with the blended learning program.
This was her reaction to a question about the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)’s “Learning Framework 2030” which underscores the need for studied on “Measuring Well-being and Progress”.
There are about 26 million students under the supervision of the Department of Education which Secretary Briones heads.
“With the unpredictable COVID-19 characteristics, we have partnered with the Department of Information and Communications Technology to utilize technology to assist students in their studies.
Secretary Briones said she believes books need no longer printed because it is unsustainable. She added book production proves to be costly and detrimental to the environment.
She explained the partnership between the Departments of Education and Information Communication Technology will help us reduce the expenses for book production. (Melo M. Acuña)
Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones. (Screen grab from Presidential Press Briefing, April 19,2021/RTVM/PCOO/Melo M. Acuna)
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