Classes will open once vaccine found
Published on: Wednesday, May 27, 2020
By: PNA
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MANILA: President Rodrigo Duterte believes the opening of classes should be pushed back until a vaccine that could protect persons against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) can be developed.In a public address late Monday night, Duterte said it was “useless” to talk about the opening of classes, particularly holding it face-to-face, without a vaccine because it would endanger the lives of students.
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Duterte said allowing students to return to school without getting vaccinated would “spell disaster”.
“I will not allow the opening of classes if students have to stay close to each other. Never mind if they don’t finish. For this generation no one will finish medicine or engineering,” he said.
He explained that he wanted to ensure that students were vaccinated before they return to school.
“Unless I am sure that they are really safe. It’s useless to be talking about opening of classes. For me, there should be a vaccine first. When it’s available, then it’s okay,” he said.
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The President said he was hopeful that a vaccine could be developed before the year ends.
“I think by the grace of God we will have the vaccine before the end of the year. They are feverishly working on it,” he said.
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Earlier, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said there is still a chance for the school opening to change depending on the country’s rate of infection.
“Flexible naman po tayo eh. Although we have said that August 24 is the date of school opening, that assumes na at least GCQ na po ang sitwasyon ‘no. We’re flexible. Although we have said that August 24 is the date of school reopening, that assumes that most areas are under general community quarantine. If come August 24 there are still areas under modified enhanced community quarantine or areas that returned to enhanced community quarantine, we might still not resume classes, ” he said.
He said Congress may amend the law to move the schedule of the opening of classes.
Under Republic Act 7977, also known as “An Act to Lengthen the School Calendar from Two Hundred (200) days to not more than Two Hundred Twenty (220) Class Days,” the “school year shall start on the first Monday of June but not later than the last day of August.”Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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