COVID-19: Children Won’t Resume School Until A Vaccine Is Available – Philippines Govt

The Philippines Government has announced that face-to-face in class schooling won’t resume until a vaccine is available for the deadly Coronavirus {COVID-19}, this was announced today by June 8th 2020, saying classes might have to be broadcasted on TV.
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte

Some more advance countries like France, South Korea and the origin of the COVID-19 virus China have resumed face-to-face lessons after they got their outbreaks under control, but the Philippines authorities say the risk of doing this is too great.

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte said last month students could not graduate, because they need to stay out of school to in the country’s bid to curb the spread of the deadly virus.

The country’s Secretary of Education Leonor Briones said in a statement, on Monday “We will comply with the president’s directive to postpone face-to-face classes until a vaccine is available.”

“Classes are to resume at the end of August and teachers will use distance learning methods via the internet or TV broadcasts where needed, Briones added”.

Millions live in deep poverty in the Philippines and do not have access to computers at home, which is key to the viability of online classes.

“The teacher and the school will have to adjust… depending on the availability of communication,” Briones said in a press briefing.

There has been little public opposition to the postponement of face-to-face classes in the Philippines, where hundreds of new infections are being detected daily despite early and strict lockdown measures.

Children are generally not allowed outside their homes unless they are out getting essentials or headed to work.

Online enrolment for over 25 million primary and secondary students started earlier this month for a delayed start to the school year, which normally runs from June to April in the Philippines.

Scientists around the world are racing to develop a coronavirus vaccine, but it is not clear when a viable candidate will be proven and distributed on a large scale.

One of the contenders is from British pharma giant AstraZeneca, which said last week that it is “on track” to begin rolling out a vaccine in September if ongoing trials prove successful. Photo Credit: Getty

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