Philippine public schools to open on August 24

The Department of Education has moved to delay the opening of classes for AY 2020-2021 for 2 months as COVID-19 cases in the country continue to increase.  

In a statement released by Education Secretary Leonor Briones, she said that she consulted the national Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on the proposed schedule and was subsequently approved by the task force.

Briones adds that there is a huge possibility that classes in areas where the enhanced community quarantine is still in effect will be conducted online. Moreover, the IATF will determine how classes per area will be conducted, depending on the status of outbreak when school opens. 

Editor’s Note: As of writing, both parents and teachers in the country are clamoring for the suspension of the opening of classes as many are still concerned about the lack of vaccines for COVID-19. While we understand that parents only want to ensure the safety of their children, this call is clearly based on fear, not science. 

First, evidence shows us that there are only a tiny number of children who have been infected with the coronavirus. And of those who were infected, the majority experienced little to no symptoms [see Why Is The Coronavirus Sparing Kids]. 

Second, based on the point above, a number of countries have kept their schools open even amidst the pandemic [read about Despite open schools, no masks, no social distancing, no children died of COVID-19 in Sweden; Science says it’s time to open schools]. 

Third, several countries such as Denmark, Netherlands, France, and New Zealand are already reopening their schools after the daily rise in COVID-19 cases has become manageable [see European Countries Begin Plans For Gradual Lifting Of Lockdowns, New Zealand Is Now At COVID-19 Level 3. Here’s What That Means]. 

Lastly, but probably the most important, a strong immune system is our children’s greatest protection against COVID-19 [read Gregg Braden: Our Bodies Know How To Fight COVID-19, Our Immune System Can Fight Back].