More schools in NCR started face-to-face classes

With a lively flag ceremony, students and teachers kicked off the return of face-to-face classes at Pio del Pilar Elementary School in Manila, which is part of the expansion phase or opening of more schools in the National Capital Region (NCR).

But not everyone is excited, like Grade 1 student Christian Diaz who doesn’t want to be separated from his father.

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“Medyo nahihiya… [pero] gustong-gusto niya talagang pumasok,” said the father Wilfredo.

Wilfredo decided to skip work as a pedicab driver to watch the child until she could catch up with classmates who were training in face-to-face classes in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Ine-encourage po siya na maki-join sa classmates niya… pagsasabihan na kaya niya ‘yon, para matuto siya,” said teacher Lolibeth Recto.

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In addition to teaching readiness, health protocols and contingency plans are in place if someone falls ill or experiences COVID symptoms.

“‘Pag may symptoms ang bata, ipapa-test namin siya. I-isolate kaagad siya. Mayroon kaming clinic,” said principal Susan Ramos.

The school will also liaise with the local government unit to register those who want to be vaccinated faster.

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More schools in NCR started face-to-face classes

The same was done at Ignacio Villamor Senior High School, where all students were vaccinated to return to physical classes this Monday.

Hybrid learning is the style of the school, where face-to-face classes are taught simultaneously and present in an online class.

“Dito sa community namin, marami ditong bata, overaged na. Nagtatrabaho na sila, pero gusto talaga nilang makapag-aral,” explained principal Jonathan Nacua.

According to Wilfredo Cabral, regional director of the Department of Education (DepEd) in NCR, the return of face-to-face classes in the region is “generally smooth.”

DepEd has yet to count how many schools have been added under the expansion phase.

DepEd hopes that education will enter a new normal phase, where in-person classes and home-based learning are part of the study.

Apart from the schools in the expansion phase, return-physical classes also participated in the pilot phase of face-to-face classes.

Based on their readiness, schools in other regions can also start an expansion phase.

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