All schools expected to resume face-to-face classes by June 2022

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Education (DepEd) expects all schools in the country to hold face-to-face classes by June, according to Secretary Leonor Briones.

Briones noted at the Laging Handa public briefing that regional offices would develop different approaches and modalities based on the Department of Health’s and local governments’ assessments in their areas.

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“By June, which is already a few days away from now, sa next academic school year, ini-expect natin na fully 100% na talaga ‘yung pag-implement natin ng face-to-face classes,” Briones said.

(By June, which is already a few days away from now, in the next academic school year, we are expecting that the implementation of face-to-face classes will be entirely at 100%.)

According to Briones, approximately 34,000 public schools, or 73 percent, are ready for face-to-face lessons as of May 26.

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She went on to say that the Department of Education is now advising private schools to hold in-person classes.

Face-to-face (F2F) classes, according to the Department of Health (DOH), are “healthier” and provide numerous benefits.

“Face-to-face attendance in school will allow children to develop their cognitive and social skills experientially,” it said.

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All schools expected to resume face-to-face classes by June 2022

“F2F promotes physical and mental health and well-being.  This is based on the latest scientific evidence,” DOH added.

Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio of the Department of Education stated the department is now urging all schools to do face-to-face classes with only a few days of in-person meetings.

“Tinitignan namin na blended na may face-to-face class na mga araw at may araw na papayagan na nasa bahay pa rin natututo ang mga bata,” he said.

(We are looking at blended learning where there are days for face-to-face classes and days for learning at home.)

San Antonio said the Department of Education would fight for this configuration if the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases agrees to allow face-to-face classes on a few days each week.

According to DepEd Undersecretary Revsee Escobedo, the department would continue to seek the approval of local government entities and parents before organizing in-person lessons to ensure student safety.

“Ang ating mga division offices sa guidance ng regional offices may kanya-kanyang guidelines na ipapatupad (Our division offices, with the guidance of regional offices, will have their guidelines),” he said.

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