More schools to be included in pilot face-to-face classes — DepEd
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education said Friday it will include more schools in its pilot run on resuming face-to-face classes this month following approval of President Rodrigo Duterte.
DepEd in a statement said more schools are now qualified based on its assessment with the Department of Health, citing the “continuing improvement” in many areas’ COVID-19 situation.
Duterte has allowed the pilot study to go on for two months in 100 public and 20 private schools. These sites would have to be under “low-risk” areas determined by DOH.
As it is, health authorities have downgraded the entire Philippines to low-risk status for virus transmission.
It came amid a continuing decline in new infections, which has fallen to just within 2,000 level for days now compared to the more than 10,000 in past months.
“The expansion of the number of pilot schools will allow a greater degree of experience among all our regions that will serve us well for the expanded phase of face-to-face classes,” the agency said.
But there was no word yet on how many schools would be added to the list of those participating in the limited in-person classes.
DepEd said it would still need to determine with DOH the final number. “We will announce the additional pilot schools once validated,” it added.
Officials have already completed the 100 public schools joining, with inspections underway. Limited classes — which would see fewer class sizes and reduced school hours, start on November 15.
This week, DepEd also said 30 private schools are also nominated but this would still have to be narrowed down to the number allowed.
It remains unclear if schools in the National Capital Region would already be included in the pilot run. Metro Manila is also under low-risk status, per DOH.
“We hope for the continuous support of our LGU officials, partners, teachers, parents, and community leaders,” DepEd said, “as we are set to welcome back our learners in schools on a limited basis starting on Monday.”
Classes for more than 28 million Filipino students began in mid-September. This is already the second year of distance learning in the country due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The United Nations Children’s Fund has said the Philippines is among the last countries in the world with no reopening of classes since 2020. — Christian Deiparine
Follow this thread for updates on when classes will resume, and how those classes will be conducted.
Photo: Students wearing protective face masks have their temperatures taken while entering their college campus in Manila on January 31, 2020. AFP/Ted Aljibe
DepEd says School Year 2022-2023 "shall open on Monday, August 22, 2022, and shall end on July 7, 2023. It shall consist of 203 school days or as may be determined by further issuance/s in case of changes in the school calendar due to unforeseen circumstances."
Sen. Nancy Binay calls on the Commission on Higher Education and the inter-agency task force on COVID-19 not to "burden" students over requirements for face-to-face classes.
Higher educations students are being required to present medical insurance and other documents before participating in face-to-face classes.
“This is a cumbersome and unnecessary requirement para sa college students, considering that by law, all Filipinos are automatic members of PhilHealth. Sa totoo lang, 'di kailangang dagdagan ang proseso, dapat nga mas simplehan pa,” Binay says.
The Department of Education announces that it will increase the number of participating schools in the pilot implementation of face-to-face classes.
"The expansion of the number of pilot schools will allow a greater degree of experience among all our regions that will serve us well for the expanded phase of face-to-face classes," DepEd says.
With the approval of the Office of the President, the Department of Education is announcing that it will increase the number of participating schools in the pilot implementation of face-to-face classes.
— DepEd (@DepEd_PH) November 11, 2021
Read: https://t.co/cCqC91kZPw pic.twitter.com/Us3GvFxp1F
COVID-19 immunization has started for tertiary students in Ilocos Norte as part of the massive vaccination campaign of the Commission on Higher Education.
This in preparation for the reopening of in-person tertiary classes, CHED-Regional Office 1 said as a ceremonial vaccination of students at Mariano Marcos State University was held on Monday in collaboration with the Department of Health, Department of Interior and Local Government, the provincial government and Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center.
About 800 students are expected to be inoculated through the CHED immunization drive.
Prior to this, MMSU had already vaccinated 75% of its student population. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao
President Rodrigo Duterte has authorized limited face-to-face classes for the following programs:
- Engineering and Technology programs
- Hospitality/ Hotel and Restaurant Management
- Tourism/ Travel Management
- Marine Engineering
- Marine Transportation
Commission on Higher Education Chairman Popoy De Vera, who made the announcement, said the authorization applies to "degree programs that require hands-on experience in higher education institutions under Modified General Community Quarantine."
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