Face-to-face classes resume in some NCR schools

Some elementary and high school students in Metro Manila returned to their classrooms on Wednesday as schools resumed in-person classes under Alert Level 2.

The Disiplina Village Bignay Elementary School in Valenzuela City welcomed back students as it started conducting pilot face-to-face classes, according to Corrine Catibayan’s Unang Balita report.

The school resumed its face-to-face classes after the National Capital Region (NCR) was placed under Alert Level 2 from Feb. 1 to 15.

The Disiplina Village Bignay Elementary School has prepared classrooms for students in Kinder and Grades 1 to 3. At least 16 students per year level are allowed to participate in the pilot face-to-face classes.

However, some students are still conducting online classes as part of the “hybrid learning” in which only half of the class are attending in-person classes.

Parent Marissa Amora said she is in favor of face-to-face classes as this allows students to focus more on the lessons.

“Mas kampante po ako pag sa school po, ang focus niya po kasi is talagang focus kesa sa bahay medyo may mga distraction. Ligtas naman pong pumasok nasunod naman tamang guidelines,” Amora said.

(I'm more assured when they attend face-to-face classes because unlike at home, there are no distractions in school. It's safe to return to school because there are health guidelines.)

Teachers said the school is planning to resume face-to-face classes for students in Grades 4 to 6.

Extra-curricular activities

Meanwhile, students needed outlets of co-curricular or extra-curricular activities to relieve “stress and anxieties” brought by COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Wednesday.

Bureau of Learning Delivery (BLD) Director Leila Areola said co-curricular activities have proven to bring “positive impact” on the well-being of the students.

“Our learners need outlets through co-curricular or extra-curricular activities to ease their stress, tension, and anxieties brought by the health crisis. Co-curricular activities have been proven to bring positive impact on the health and well-being of our learners,” Areola said in a statement.

The DepEd launched its first-ever Online National Festival of Talents (NFOT) from January 24 to 28, 2022, to highlight the positive impact of co-curricular activities on the well-being of learners amid the pandemic.

Areola said the annual talent and skill showcase of the department was held virtually, adding that it will make “more responsive and relevant to the current health situation.”

This year’s NFOT featured regional submission of students’ video performances, including cooking, songwriting, singing, and playing instruments, dancing, speech exhibitions, among others.

“Conducting the festival of talents creates opportunities for all types of learners, through the guidance of coaches from public and private elementary and secondary schools, including ALS, to persevere, adapt, hope, and bounce back and find a way to move forward,” Areola said.

“All co-curricular activities have been designed to divert their attention from the pandemic. The involvement in the said activities will help them become tougher and prevent mental health issues,” she added. --Richa Noriega/KBK, GMA News