The simulation of the face-to-face classes was held today, March 7, at Matahimik Bucana National High School in Barangay Iwahig, Puerto Princesa, by the school’s faculty members and health workers.
The activity is in line with the preparation for the upcoming face-to-face classes of high school students for their incoming school year 2022-2023, after two years of the pandemic where students underwent modular learning.
School head Mr. Rene Venturillo said the activity is essential to find out and observe what else the school needs to do or have if the physical classes are held.
“We can identify ano pa mga kailangan namin iprovide kagaya ngayon ang dami ko pang nakikita na kulang pala so mas maganda talaga na magkaroon ng simulation,” said Venturillo in an interview.
[We can identify what else we need to provide as now I see a lot that is lacking, so it’s really better to have a simulation]
The faculty also prepared the school by placing signs and arrows to make it easier for students to enter and leave.
Upon entering the gate, students are required to check the temperature and sanitize. They will go through the triage and are required to fill up health declaration forms guided by barangay health workers.
Then they will proceed to the waiting area for the health and safety session to be discussed by the assigned faculty. The 15-minute session will discuss the importance of the process, the safety protocols needed to undergo by every student, and what should be considered by the time school will implement face-to-face class, such as wearing face masks and social distancing.
After the orientation, the students will proceed to the handwashing area and move to their respective classrooms. If a student has symptoms, he or she will proceed to the isolation room for observation, and school administrators will contact his or her parents or guardians.
Venturillo added that based on the current school facilities, the school is still not 100 percent ready for face-to-face classes due to the lack of buildings, chairs, equipment, especially in their clinic that needs better facilities.
“If we rate it ng hanggang 100% [na] pinakamataas, nasa 70% pa lang… 70% kasi may mga kulang pa akong nakikita sa ngayon para talagang maging kaaya-aya siya sa pagpasok ng mga estudyante,” the school head said.
[If we rate it up to 100% [that’s] the highest, it’s still only 70%… because I still see some shortcomings so that it can really be pleasant for students to enter]
In the simulation, the teachers, tanods, and barangay health workers imitated the activity processes and were thoroughly evaluated by the school head. Some of the barangay nutritionists visited the simulation to observe.
The school head also shared what else the school lacks that could hinder starting a face-to-face class.
“Ang mga kulang katulad ng… yung disinfection team, and yung schedule ng disinfection diyan sa waiting area, tapos yung mga hazards. Tapos yung handwashing, yung mga gripo hindi pa siya connected sa water line,” he said.
The school administration hopes that the government will help them provide better buildings and classrooms for their students.