Gatchalian backs school-based COVID-19 vaccination; reiterates urgency of face-to-face classes

Senator Win Gatchalian backs the government's plan to establish COVID-19 vaccination sites in schools, saying the move would help increase COVID-19 vaccination coverage among minors and open more schools for face-to-face classes.

During the President's Talk to the People on May 3, Presidential Adviser for COVID-19 Response Secretary Vince Dizon reported that National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. already gave instructions to make COVID-19 vaccines available in all schools. There are 10 million doses in stock for children aged 5 to 11, the official added.

The vaccine czar earlier said that accelerating pediatric vaccination is part of the government's Last Mile Challenge in the COVID-19 inoculation program. As of April 17, only more than 2.6 million or 18.59% of children aged 5 to 11 have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. In the 12-17 age group, more than 9.9 million or 86.51% have at least one dose.

The Department of Education (DepEd) also reported that there are 26,344 schools conducting face-to-face classes--25,668 or 56.89% of public schools and 676 or 5.47% of private schools. More than 5.9 million public school learners are attending in-person classes, while there are 226,991 learners participating from private schools.

"Mahalagang mapaigting natin ang pakikilahok ng ating mga paaralan sa pagbabakuna ng mga kabataan laban sa COVID-19. Kung mababakunahan natin ang mas maraming kabataan, makakapagbukas pa tayo ng mas maraming mga paaralan para sa face-to-face classes," said Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture.

Gatchalian reiterated that the prolonged lack of face-to-face classes will result in both economic and education scarring. According to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the country is losing around P22 trillion for two years of face-to-face closure.

According to a joint report released this year by UNICEF, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the World Bank titled "Where are We on Education Recovery?", less than 15% of 10-year old children in the Philippines can read or understand a simple story. This translates to a learning poverty of more than 85%.

Gatchalian suportado ang paglalagay ng COVID-19 vaccination sites sa mga paaralan

Suportado ni Senador Win Gatchalian ang plano ng pamahalaan na maglagay ng mga COVID-19 vaccination sites sa mga paaralan upang mabakunahan ang mas marami pang mga kabataan. Ayon sa senador, makatutulong ang hakbang na ito upang lalong palawigin ang pagsasagawa ng face-to-face classes.

Sa "Talk to the People" ng Pangulo noong Mayo 3, iniulat ni Presidential Adviser for COVID-19 Response Secretary Vince Dizon ang utos ni National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. na tiyaking magkakaroon ng mga bakuna kontra COVID-19 sa lahat ng paaralan. Ayon pa sa opisyal, may sampung milyong doses na nakalaan para sa mga batang 5 hanggang 11 taong gulang.

Ayon pa sa vaccine czar, ang maigting na pagbabakuna sa mga kabataan ay bahagi ng Last Mile Challenge ng pamahalaan sa pagbabakuna kontra COVID-19. Noong Abril 17, 2.6 milyon pa lang o 18.59% ng mga kabataang nasa 5 hanggang 11 taong gulang ang nakatanggap ng isang dose ng bakuna kontra COVID-19. Sa mga kabataang nasa 12 hanggang 17 taong gulang, 9.9 milyon na o 86.51% ang nakatanggap ng isang dose ng bakuna.

Sa ulat naman ng Department of Education (DepEd), may 26,344 na mga paaralan na ang nagsasagawa ng face-to-face classes. Kabilang dito ang 25,668 o 56.89% ng mga pampublikong paaralan at 676 o 5.47% ng mga pribadong paaralan. May 5.9 milyon na mag-aaral mula sa mga pampublikong mga paaralan ang nakikilahok sa face-to-face classes, samantalang may 226,991 na mga mag-aaral ang nakikilahok mula sa mga pribadong paaralan.

"Mahalagang mapaigting natin ang pakikilahok ng ating mga paaralan sa pagbabakuna ng mga kabataan laban sa COVID-19. Kung mababakunahan natin ang mas maraming kabataan, makakapagbukas pa tayo ng mas maraming mga paaralan para sa face-to-face classes," ani Gatchalian, Chairman ng Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture.

Muli ding iginiit ni Gatchalian na ang matagal na kawalan ng face-to-face classes ay magdudulot ng matinding pinsala sa edukasyon at ekonomiya ng bansa. Ayon sa National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), humigit-kumulang na 22 trilyong piso ang mawawala sa bansa dahil sa kawalan ng face-to-face classes sa loob ng dalawang taon.

Sa isang ulat naman ng UNICEF, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, (UNESCO) at ng World Bank na pinamagatang "Where are We on Education Recovery?", wala pang 15% ng mga kabataang Pilipinong sampung taong gulang ang kayang magbasa o umunawa ng simpleng kwento. Katumbas nito ang learning poverty na 85%.