Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 7)— A senator is pushing for the establishment of “learning pods,” a model adopted from the US that lets teachers and learners physically meet on a limited basis amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“What I support is the US version of what they call learning pods,” Senate Committee on Basic Education chair Win Gatchalian told CNN Philippines’ The Source on Monday, reiterating his support for limited and localized face-to-face classes.
“Because in the US, they’ve also studied that it’s impossible just to completely cut off the teacher from the learner,” he added.
Gatchalian said such model would let a limited number of students — practicing the minimum health standards — go to class once a week, on a maximum of around two hours per day.
“The concept there is the student should have some engagement with the teacher. That model is being practiced in a lot of countries already,” the lawmaker noted.
Schools and universities in the country have earlier switched to online and blended learning programs due to the coronavirus pandemic. But some government officials, including Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, backed the possible resumption of physical classes in low-risk and COVID-free areas.
