DepEd prepares for AH1N1 in schools

Pasig City (22 July) — Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC has instructed all school officials to take necessary measures to prevent the possible occurrence of Influenza A(H1N1) which becomes prevalent at the onset of the rainy season.

The Department of Education (DepEd), through DepEd Memorandum No. 315 series of 2010, has lined up precautionary measures to prepare the schools in the event of break-out. “We call on the parents, students, teachers, and school officials to be mindful of their health, take extra precaution, and to be watchful for any symptoms pointing to AH1N1,” said Luistro.

Luistro has instructed all school officials to maintain sanitation in school premises and directed school health officials to conduct information dissemination campaign so that students and the community will know what A (H1N1) virus is, and what the community can do to prevent it.

“The safety of the students, officials and personnel should always be on top of our concerns. While the government was able to contain A (H1N1) last year, it nevertheless resulted to many class days missed by students. “This year, we should not let it stop our school operations, instead, we should be ready to do our part in controlling the spread of the virus,” stressed Luistro.

DepEd has also issued guidelines on the implementation of Preventive Alert System in Schools (PASS), a systematic relay of information on the child’s or teacher’s state of health to medical personnel/agencies in the locality which all school heads should follow.

Under PASS, pupils/students will observe the well-being of their own classmates and to report if someone among them is not feeling well or has colds/cough or fever. If confirmed, the principal shall notify the family/guardian of the sick child. If the school does not have a physician, the nearest health center physician/municipal health officer or rural health worker shall be consulted.

Also, school heads are directed to closely coordinate with the barangay health workers and municipal health officers for updates if there is an occurrence of infectious diseases in the community. They shall also conduct daily monitoring of health status of children and personnel and maintain a record of it.

School principals are expected to take the lead in implementing PASS and to relay relevant/urgent information to the Schools Division Superintendent (SDS). The SDS shall a give report to the Office of the Secretary.

“With everyone’s support, we can make our schools a safe environment for learning,” said Luistro. (DepEd)