Filtered By: Topstories
News

June 1 school opening to push through despite flu scare


MANILA, Philippines - The government is not keen on moving the scheduled June 1 opening of classes despite the threat of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus, the country’s Education secretary said Sunday. Secretary Jesli Lapus said they would move the date only if advised by the Department of Health (DOH). “There’s no plan to reset school opening as we have not received any advisory from DOH regarding swine flu," Lapus said in a statement. He said the Department of Education (DepEd) is currently working on having students avail of vaccination to prevent them from being afflicted by the virus, which has already killed more than 50 people around the world, most of them in Mexico. The Philippines remains swine flu-free as of Sunday noon. “We also await news from health authorities on possible vaccination in schools against this virus." Lapus said. He added that a memorandum order is also set to be issued directing the department’s regional, division and other school officials to ensure that school children and their parents are properly educated on the swine flu virus. The National Epidemiology Center had earlier said that they are leaving it to the DepEd the decision on whether to defer the opening of classes due to the H1N1 threat. “There are suggestions to delay the opening of classes this June but that is only suggestion from some sector," NEC chief Dr. Eric Tayag said. - GMANews.TV
LOADING CONTENT