The Department of Health (DOH) has advised parents of students to disinfect the learning modules they receive from schools to ensure children’s safety against COVID-19.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire reminded that the virus lives on surfaces for some time, so parents should always take precautions even when accepting learning modules to be used in online classes.
“Dapat palagiang isinasagawa ang ‘minimum health standards’ tulad ng paghuhugas ng kamay at dapat alam ng mga ina kung paano idi-disinfect ang mga school materials ng mga anak,” the official said.
It is said that the modules can be heated in the sun for a few hours before being used to ensure that the virus would be killed. There is no need to buy expensive disinfectant, Vergeire added.
Children should also be regularly told not to touch their faces and wash their hands regularly or use alcohol.
The DOH assured that they are closely monitoring schools regarding the spread of the virus, especially, and some teachers still need to go to schools for online classes.
DepEd asks parents not to answer modules
Meanwhile, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Sunday called on parents not to answer the students’ worksheets and modules, but only to guide them in learning.
In an online media forum a day before classes open in public schools, Education Undersecretary Tonisito Umali said it is important for parents to play a role in the new set-up of education. Still, it does not mean that they will take over the child’s activities in school.
“Hindi po sila ang dapat sasagot ng pagsusulit o takdang aralin o gawaing pang-upuan ng mga bata. Klaro po ‘yan,” said Umali.
(They are not the ones who should answer the test or the assignment or the children’s chairwork. That is clear.)
According to Umali, there was a meeting with parents on how to guide children in learning.
He said schools also have a system to find out if students really understand the lesson.
“Ang mahalaga po nito, siguruhin niyo lamang na sa paraan ng paggabay niyo ay natututo ang mga bata,” said Umali.