An education advocacy group on Wednesday lauded the government’s plan to procure 60 million Covid-19 vaccines for children, saying such a move would be crucial in resuming face-to-face classes.
“Napakaganda pong balita ng planong pagbili ng bakuna para sa kabataan. The vaccination of Filipino children will pave the way for the resumption of face-to-face classes and give parents peace of mind that their children will be safe from the risks posed by Covid-19,” (Philippine Educators Alliance for Community Empowerment) PEACE Party-list President Marie Paz T. Abante said.
“Napakaganda pong balita ng planong pagbili ng bakuna para sa kabataan.”
The government recently announced the plan to inoculate around 39 million from the pediatric sector.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had earlier approved the amended emergency use authorization (EUA) of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine to include the vaccination of children aged 12 years old and above.
The Department of Health also welcomed news that China has allowed the Sinovac vaccine to be administered to children and adolescents between three and 17 years old. It clarified however that Sinovac would still have to apply for the revision of their EUA.
While the resumption of face-to-face classes by the time the new school year kicks in would be “close to impossible,” Abante urged the government to nonetheless push for the quick rollout of children’s vaccination to “liberate” children.
She said that the lengthy lockdown is hobbling child development and causing mental health problems.
“A key part of children’s development is socializing and being able to do physical activities outdoors.”
“A key part of children’s development is socializing and being able to do physical activities outdoors. We risk hampering their potential with their prolonged stay indoors,” Abante, a long-time educator, said.
“We risk hampering their (children) potential with their prolonged stay indoors.”
PEACE Party-list also held the SY 2021-2022: What to Expect? webinar on June 9, which tackled pressing issues surrounding the re-opening of classes. It was the first of a series of webinars on the education sector that the group has lined up.
The second, How To Start A School Ministry, will be held on June 23. The said webinar is for churches that wish to start a school ministry, as well as for churches that have school ministries and would want to discuss how to better improve the operations and address unique challenges.
