National COE must decide if return to classrooms will be mandatory as proposed by the Ministry of Education

Yadira Blakman, Undersecretary of Education for Zone 8, mentioned that the return to the classroom is still voluntary, but that from the Ministry of Education there is a proposal to make the process mandatory.

This, he said, will be transferred to the national Emergency Operations Committee (COE), a body that will decide whether or not to accept this plan based on the incidence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

So far 335 educational institutions in Zone 8 (Guayaquil, Durán and Samborondón) have returned to face-to-face classes progressively and voluntarily, with a student population of 40,470.

In total there are 1,564 educational establishments in that jurisdiction and the number of students is 767,589.

The Ciudad de Tulcán school, in the Fertisa sector, south of Guayaquil, is one of the schools that returned to face-to-face classes since last October 27.

30% of educational establishments in Ecuador are already in blended classes after approval of the educational continuity plan

Of 640 students in this establishment, 50 accepted the return to face-to-face attendance, the rest continue in the modality online the virtual.

In each room, the biosecurity measures established by the COVID-19 pandemic are applied. Upon admission, the temperature is measured and the hands and feet are disinfected.

In each classroom there are no more than ten students located at the suggested distance of two meters between each bench. The center of the room is free for the teacher and the benches located at the sides of the classroom.

Carlos Vega, director of the Ciudad de Tulcán school, mentioned that each level is assigned one to two days to attend classes.

The day takes place from 09:00 to 11:00, the official explained, adding that from 11:00 onwards the teachers connect for the activities with the students who continue in virtuality. (I)