Private schools are committed to continue with online learning to keep both students and teachers safe as the country battles the spread of the Delta variant.
Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines (COCOPEA) Chair Dr. Anthony Tamayo said online learning has been their main teaching method during the pandemic as they adapt to a “better normal.”
“COCOPEA member schools are resolved to continue with online learning for this school year. The presidents of the associations that comprise COCOPEA agree that the safety of our students and stakeholders at this time of the pandemic is our paramount concern,” Tamayo said.
At present, COCOPEA member-schools are devoting their resources to online learning including teacher-training and upgrading of their IT infrastructures.
“Online learning allows us to keep both our students and teachers safe while accomplishing our mission of delivering quality education,” said Tamayo.
Reports have said the Delta variant of COVID-19 has spread to nearly all regions of the country, with Metro Manila having the highest case count. The spread is occurring just as private schools are opening the new school year this month and September.
“We are also committed to follow health and safety protocols in the workplace as outlined by the concerned government agencies like the IATF, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Health (DOH) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd),” Tamayo said.
“We have been strictly enforcing these protocols since the pandemic began. We continue to be cautious and practice vigilance especially now with the spread of the Delta variant,” he added.
Founded in 1961, COCOPEA is the umbrella organization of private schools in the country and takes the lead in public policy development for the sector. Some 2500 private schools around the country comprise this umbrella organization.
The other associations that comprise COCOPEA are the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU); Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP); Philippine Association of Private Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAPSCU); Association of Christian Schools, Colleges and Universities (ACSCU); and the Tech-Voc Schools Association of the Philippines (TVSA).