18 private schools begin pilot in-person classes —DepEd

Eighteen private schools from several areas nationwide that were deemed low risk for COVID-19 by authorities were able to start limited pilot face-to-face classes on Monday, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).

In a statement, DepEd said 20 schools in low-risk areas were supposed to begin their in-person classes but two deferred their classes due to issues with academic calendar.

"[Eighteen] proceeded, 2 deferred because of academic calendar," DepEd Public Affairs said in a Viber message to reporters.

Meanwhile, Attorney Joseph Noel Estrada, managing director of Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA), said three private schools from their association also began pilot face-to-face classes.

He said private schools made sure that students in a classroom are following social distancing.

"Depende sa size ng classroom. 1.5 meters 'yan so kung ilang kakasya sa classroom 'yun lang papayagan," Estrada said during the Laging Handa briefing on Monday.

(It depends on the size of the classroom. There must be 1.5 meters social distance so it will depend on how many students will fit inside the classroom.)

More private schools in other regions are also waiting for DepEd's directive to allow them to resume face-to-face classes, Estrada also said.

"May ibang eskwelahan na naghihintay na lang na payagan din dahil bumaba na ang alert level," he said.

(Some schools are also waiting for approval because the alert level was downgraded.)

Public schools began their pilot limited face-to-face classes on November 15, 2021. —KBK, GMA News