Campus may obtain authorization to expand the offer in order to serve those who do not want to return to face-to-face classes

So far, in what has been a voluntary return to face-to-face classes, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, 612,666 students from the Coast, Sierra and Amazon have taken up this option. The figure (cut to Thursday, November 4, 2021) represents 15% of the national student population, which is 4’314,777 people.

However, the scenario could change next week, If on Monday, November 15, the national Emergency Operations Committee (COE) accepts the request of the Ministry of Education mandatory face-to-face return, according to educational levels.

In that case, the Minister of Education, María Brown Pérez, pointed out this week that there will be no blended or hybrid mode (face-to-face combined with virtual mode) in the fiscal facilities.

In Guayaquil, students from 12 to 17 years old receive a second dose of vaccine against COVID-19

There will be two options: in person or remotely, and for the latter the parent must make a request for the student to be transferred to an establishment that has that option.

However, other schools such as individuals and tax authorities could request authorization to expand their modalities and that way have a face-to-face and virtual offer at the same time.

“The approval modality is through a very recent ministerial agreement that was issued in the ministry to update the approval processes for operating permits, which is simplified and presents a fairly expeditious process for institutions that already have a In-person operating permit can request the extension of the service ”, explained the minister at a press conference the previous Tuesday.

In the Zone 8 (Guayaquil, Durán and Samborondón), until the previous Monday 40,470 students had welcomed the blended attendance of a total of 767,589 students.

In the Altamar Naval Academy Educational Unit the intention of the authorities is to maintain the virtual modality (no student goes to the classrooms) for the safety of their students.

“We do not consider it convenient (attendance), because even if it is with a few students, just one who is a carrier of the virus would infect us all, not only the rest of the students but the entire community (…) We are an educational institution that we have the authorization to do virtual education ”, expressed Guillermo Vásquez, general manager of the educational unit.

However, the official said, if there are students who want to return to class, there would be no problem in offering both modalities.

Carlos García, father of the Altamar family, said he felt calmer that his client received the second dose against the virus yesterday (at the campus), but considered it convenient that the mandatory return to the classrooms is from next year until they pass upcoming holidays (Christmas and New Years).

“We are seeing outbreaks worldwide, in countries that are more developed like China, those that are power are isolating themselves again, and we are relaxing,” said the man.

In the different educational institutions the second dose of Pfizer is being given to adolescents between 12 and 17 years old. Today corresponds to the students of the Ecomundo.

In the San José Educational Unit, of the Ladies Charity Society, where yesterday the second reinforcement was also applied to the student population from 12 to 17 years old, there is blended attendance since October 18.

Of 937 students, 120 took advantage of this modality, the rest continue in virtual classes. Each parallel has a maximum of 15 boys.

María Elena Endara, vice-rector of the establishment, said that they have hybrid classrooms, but that if the mandatory return to classrooms is established, they would accept that decision.

Education sets dates for back to school with 100% capacity for 4.3 million students

He added that in case the return continues to be voluntary, the campus will maintain semi-presence as it has been up to now.

Mothers like Elsy Vásquez expressed their agreement with the return to classrooms.

“Practically two years locked up, then, although it is true this is a contradiction, because the parents say, well, to go to the institution gives us fear and dread, but to go to the shopping centers, to the beach, there have been countless inhabitants of schooling age. As a mother, I do agree because they are already with the vaccine and it is a mental health that the boys need ”, said the woman. (I)