Before face to face classes resume on January 2022, students and teachers must be fully vaccinated first, Mayor Benjamin Magalong said.
With the threat of the Omicron variant, Magalong said those in the academe should have some level of protection through vaccination before face to face classes resume.
“Hopefully, hindi matindi ang Omicron, so we can proceed with planning for academic activities,” the mayor said. He mentioned of a series of meetings with heads of colleges and universities so preparations could go on.
The Omicron variant with three known cases in the Philippines is causing waves of illness in other countries. Studies as to details of the cases, and severity of infection are still ongoing.
Baguio is host to 22 tertiary schools, 21 secondary and 45 elementary schools.
Modular, online or TV/radio classes took over regular classes last school year during the Covid-19 pandemic. Several problems were noted, however, such as lack of funds for module material reproduction, students’ struggle with self-learning and parents’ lack of knowledge in academics and instructions.
Last semester, only institutions offering medical courses opened limited face-to-face classes. Clamor for more classes to open progressed for all courses, as lately, a majority of the city’s adolescent population got at least one dose of the vaccine. – Julie G. Fianza
