Face-to-face classes in the Philippines amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic continue, Malacañang and the Department of Education (DepEd) confirmed today.
“In-approve na ni President [Rodrigo Duterte] ang pag-initiate ng pilot classes para sa face-to-face [learning],” said Education Secretary Leonor Briones.
“Maximum 100 schools muna tayo mag-umpisa para maobserbahan natin how it will work, tapos dinadagdagan natin ng 20 private schools na mag-submit sila ng kanilang plans.”
Briones and presidential spokesperson Harry Roque released the news earlier after stopping face-to-face classes for pre-school, elementary, high school, and most college students since March 2020.
“Ito po ay sa mga lugar na low-risk na ide-determine po ng ating [Department of Health]. Kinakailangan po papasa sa safety criteria… safety assessment tool ng DepEd,” said Roque in a press briefing.
“Kinaakailangan meron pong suporta ng [local government unit] sa pamamagitan ng isang resolution o letter of support, at kinakailangan meron pong written consent ng mga magulang ng learners.”
Duterte’s guidelines on the pilot implementation of face-to-face classes include:
- safety assessment by DepEd
- willingness of the local government unit to host pilot classes
- written consent of the parents showing consent for the child to participate in pilot classes
- readiness of the DepEd facility to DOH requirements to ensure social distancing, water, medicine, etc.
Face-to-face classes at 100 schools approved by Duterte
“Very, very strict ang health standards natin,” said Briones.
The number of students that will be allowed to enter their respective classrooms physically will also be limited as a precaution against COVID-19:
- kindergarten (up to 12 students)
- grades 1 to 3 (up to 16 students)
- technical-vocational (up to 20 students)
“Sa kindergarten to grade 3, three hours maximum,” said the DepEd official.
“Dalawang buwan ito na bantayan nang husto talaga… Ang face-to-face na konsepto ngayon, iba sa… kilala natin na everyday… Sa lahat ng bansa, walang daily, continuous face-to-face. Talagang skine-schedule ito nang husto at strictly monitored.”
Teachers, school staff, etc., who are 65-years-old and under with no comorbidity will be allowed to participate in the program whether vaccinated against COVID-19 or not.
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