euciy TESDA-QP-02-F02" * * Rev. No, 00 - 03/01/17 a Technical Education and Skills Development Authority OFFICE OF THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR ROUTE SLIP ToiFor: ieee ats POs Othe Subject: Advisory dtd 01/04/2022 from Commission on Human Rights RO1 Re: Policy Advisory on the Conduct of Limited Face-to-Face Classes FOR INFORMATION / GUIDANCE Oo FOR REVIEW oO FOR COMPLETE STAFF WORK (CSW) Oo PLEASE REPRESENT ME Oo FOR APPROPRIATE ACTION Remarks: DIR. VINCENT ATIENZA CIFRA, MA Regional Director (Director IV) Date: /7 pla 9012 PMB: T tTESDA - RO1 RECORDS SECTION CONTROL NO. RECEIVED NAME: DATE: TIME: RELEASED 1ISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ‘COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS REGION-I ADVISORY CHR-RO1-LD-2021-04 POLICY ADVISORY ON THE CONDUCT OF LIMITED FACE-TO-FACE CLASSES This Advisory is being issued in connection with the Government’s decision to allow limited face-to-face classes in pilot areas and the eventual expanded phase which covers K to 12. Considering that the number of persons infected by the COVID-19 virus is decreasing while the number of vaccinated persons has reached arecord high of 93,619,640!, such decision of the Department of Education is very welcome and will certainly redound to the best interest of the students who eager to attend face-to-face classes. are It has been almost two (2) years when President Rodrigo R. Duterte imposed the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, mass gatherings were prohibited, travel restrictions were imposed, businesses were shut down and schools were closed. The continued closure of schools and the adoption of virtual or online classes have significantly affected the students’ quality of education, as well as their social skills and mental health brought about by prolonged isolation. As such, it is high time to consider the gradual and full-scale conduct of face-to-face classes in select areas, subject to the strict observance of the health safety protocols. The right to education is well-enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Section 1, Article XIV thereof provides that “The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all. Further, Section 2 states that “The State shall (1) Establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people and society.” The constitutional provision on the right to education has counterpart provisions in various international human rights instruments, to wit: a) Article 26, paragraph 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “Everyone has the right to education; xxx while Section 2 thereof provides that “Education shall be directed to the full 1 httos://doh.gov.ph/covid’19-vaccination{dashboard.54,914, 819 fad 4* dose; 37,f95,291 hbd 2" FEC dose vaccines, while 809,550 received bogster shots{(Data of DOH a& of Hatémber f13, 2021)} Acces: December 2021. Contec Ne RECEWwED NAME DATE: \ TIME _ Naw. 54 RY sre Da £9 ~ GRDdevelopment of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms;” b) Article 3, Section 1 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child States that “In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.”; c) Article 28 1. “States Parties recognize the right of the child to education XXX; 2. Article 29 1. States Parties agree that the education of the child shall be directed to: (a) The development of the child's personality, talents and mental and physical abilities to their fullest potential;” xxx In fulfilling the right to education of every child, the CHR-Region I Office highly recommends and fully supports the decision of the Department of Education to conduct limited face-to-face classes, with priority in areas where there are low number of active COVID-19 cases and where vaccination rate is high. Per DOH data?, it was reported that in the [locos Region, there are only Five Hundred Forty-Three (543) remaining active COVID-19 cases; One Hundred Two and Six Hundred Fifteen (102,615) recovered; and only Twenty-Three (23) new particularly on the low number of new COVID-19 cases recorded in Region I, the CHR-Region I Office respectfully recommends that limited face-to-face classes be fully implemented in school year 2022 in the entire Region. However, given that the threat of COVID-19 persists, particularly that there is a new variant of the virus, namely, the Omicron variant, strict adherence to health safety protocols should be implemented like wearing of face masks while inside and outside the classroom, observing physical distancing and covering one’s mouth and nose with handkerchief when coughing or sneezing, installation of temperature/ thermal scanner and hand wash area, checking of body temperature before entering the classroom and after dismissal, improving the ventilation of the classrooms, contact tracing, isolation and quarantine of students or teachers who have been exposed to or those who tested positive of COVID-19 virus. More importantly, if qualified and when the vaccine is already available, teachers and students should be fully vaccinated. In a research study? entitled “Psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines”, it was found that out of the total 1879 who completed online surveys from March 28 to April 12, 2020, 16.3% of the Trespondents rated the psychological impact of the outbreak as moderate-to-severe; 16.9% reported ns ? https://ilocos. Neda.gov.ph/covid-19-heal-as-one/ Accessed on 13 December 2021 5 https: ‘academic.microsoft.com, paper/3080207218/citedby Search? Accessed on 13 December 2021moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms; 28.8% had moderate-to-severe anxiety levels; and 13.4% had moderate-to-severe stress levels. Similarly, in another study on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological well-being of students in an Italian university, it was shown that out of the 501 subjects, 35.33% were classified as anxious while 72.93% as depressed.‘ Clearly, the COVID-19 virus brought not only physical suffering but also mental suffering to many people, including children-students who are one of the most vulnerable groups and still have no mental maturity and resilience in dealing with the adverse impact of the virus. Coupled with their isolation and restricted movement, lack or very limited social interaction with their classmates and friends and online class set-up, the students are prone to having mental issues in the future. However, the opening of classes and increased social interactions among the students will likely mitigate the negative impact of the said factors. The gradual opening of classes, though only limited face-to-face classes, will have a long-term positive impact on the mental well-being of students. Quoting Emma Seppala of the Stanford Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education, and author of the 2016 book “The Happiness Track”, she wrote that “People who feel more connected to others have lower levels of anxiety and depression. Moreover, studies show that they also have higher self-esteem, greater empathy for others, are more trusting and cooperative and, as a Consequence, others are more open to trusting and cooperating with them. In other words, social connectedness generates a positive feedback loop of social, emotional and physical well-being?.” In view of the foregoing considerations, the CHR-Region I Office reiterates that it fully supports the decision of the Government to conduct limited face-to- face classes nationwide, including the whole Region I, but with the caveat that all health safety protocols should be strictly observed. Relative thereto, CHR-Region I Office urges the Department of Education-Region I to prepare and conduct limited face-to-face classes, beginning on the school year 2022, for the entire Region I. Finally, the COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS REGION-I shall be closely monitoring compliance to this Advisory. LET THIS ADVISORY be adopted and disseminated to all duty bearers, as widely as possible, for their information and appropriate action. Done this 14" day of December 2021 in San Fernando City, La Union, es ee 4 httpsy ‘globalizationandhealth.biomedcentral com/articles/10.1186, 's12992-021-00680, Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on psychological well-being of students in an Italian University: a web-based cross-sectional survey. Accessed on 13 December 2021 5 https://www.n ‘times.com/2017/06/12/well, live/having-friends-is-good-for- ‘ou.htm|. Quoting from the Article entitled “Social Interaction Is Critical for Mental and Physical Health” written by Jane E. Brody. Accessed on December 14, 2021Prepared by: OrJoms 4. Von ATTY. ARLENE A. VEN Attorney V Reviewed by: Approved by: ATTY. HAROLD D. KUB-ARON Regional Human Rights Director Copy Furnished: CHR POLICY ADVISORY OFFICE Commission on Human Rights Quezon City, Philippines DIR. TOLENTINO G. AQUINO Director IV Department of Education-Region I City of San Fernando, 2500 La Union DIR. ROGELIO T. GALERA, JR. Regional Director Commission on Higher Education City of San Fernando, La Union DIR. VINCENT A. CIFRA Regional Director TESDA REGION I Quezon Ave., Catbangen, City of San Fernando, La Union