Strategies for Education and Training Sub-Outcome 1: Adverse effects of COVID-19 on learners, teachers and the education system minimized
Ensure readiness of schools/learning institutions, teaching/non-teaching personnel and students on New Normal education system. School facilities will be improved corresponding to the established health protocols in time of the pandemic. Health protection materials and supplies will be provided at all times in schools and offices. Rapid testing will be conducted to all teaching and non-teaching personnel as preventive measures against COVID-19. Online platforms will be primarily utilized to limit physical contact in the conduct of workshops and conferences. For schools and learning institutions which may adopt the physical or face-to-face learning scheme, classrooms will be redesigned prior to school opening. Based on the standard size of classrooms, the number of learners will be limited to 20-25 for lecture classes and 15 for laboratory classes to maintain physical distancing. Vacant rooms, conference/meeting halls and audio visual rooms will be maximized for lecture and laboratory activities. Each classroom will be provided with functional washing facilities and improved toilet amenities. The number of learning resources (LRs) online/offline to support the delivery of the essential learning competencies will be increased. Online and confidential psycho-social support/therapy and psychological first-aid will be provided for free to students and teachers in both private and public HEIs. This is highly needed as some students and teachers are in need of psycho-social guidance due to extreme stress caused by the abrupt disruption of their normal daily routine. Values education is essential for individual’s personal development and will be re-integrated in the education curriculum, especially in basic education, to address proliferation of teenage crimes, suicides, violence, bullying, drugs and promiscuous behavior among teenagers. By reintegrating values in the curricula, good manners and right conduct will be taught including the value of family, love of country, solidarity, as well as understanding the political, cultural and religious differences. Emphasis on human rights, gender and development, mental health, protection of the minority, environmental conservation will be also highlighted. Cleanliness and proper health hygiene and sanitation practices will be reinforced as preventive measures against illnesses and viral contamination. Implement preventive and mitigating measures as well as safe work practices to fight COVID-19. Each office/unit will ensure the health and safety of its respective workplace, including employees’ security. The use of alternative work scheme/arrangement of skeletal force in the office and work-from-home arrangement will be put in place. Teaching and nonteaching staff will be encouraged to follow the New Normal practices like physical distancing, provision of sanitation and disinfectants, wearing of masks and personal protective equipment to prevent work exposures, etc. Sanitation and wash facilities will also be installed near the entrance gates of schools. Proper waste management, collection, storage, transfer or elimination of wastes will be strictly implemented. Teaching personnel will train their learners/students on proper hand washing and safe management of drinking water to avoid potential water contamination. Western Visayas COVID-19 Regional Recovery Plan Thematic Strategies to Mitigate Losses 102
