By Deighton Acuin

PHOTO: Manila Bulletin

Calls urging the education agencies for academic break will leave the “poor learners” behind, Senate Committee on Basic Education Chairperson Sherwin Gatchalian said Monday.

“I don’t agree with the call to implement a nationwide academic break. Iba-iba naman ang quarantine qualification at may mga lugar na walang lockdown. Mahirap naman pong mag-academic freeze sa isang lugar na walang kaso ng COVID-19. Kaya hindi pwede itong academic freeze para sa pangkalahatan dahil iba-iba ang sitwasyon,” he said in a statement.

He added the vulnerable learners, who are struggling since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, have been left behind due to interruptions the academic break may cause.

Moreover, the lawmaker warned that some “exacerbated effects” will exist due to prolonged closure of schools, increased exposure to violence, inequalities, and loss of learning.

Some places under lenient quarantine measures such as General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) should continue for implementing flexible learning, Gatchalian said.

Earlier, some educational institutions in “NCR Plus Bubble” have imposed academic ease amid the upsurge of COVID-19 infected individuals.


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