DepEd allows ‘progressive expansion’ of face-to-face classes

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday said it has authorized all regional directors to begin the “progressive expansion” phase of face-to-face classes for both public and private schools.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones made the directive after President Rodrigo Duterte earlier approved the department's recommendation to expand face-to-face classes in Alert Level 2 areas.

Briones said that pending the issuance of a Revised Joint Memorandum for the expansion phase, the main protocols and standards in the DepEd-Department of Health (DOH) Joint Memorandum Circular 001, s. 2021 shall remain applicable as appropriate.

In the expansion phase, schools must be validated as compliant with the standards of the School Safety Assessment Tool (SSAT) and located in areas under Alert Levels 1 and 2 based on the periodic risk assessment by the DOH.

The participating schools in the expansion phase may also include other grade levels, based on the capacity of the schools.

Meanwhile, the schools must have secured the concurrence of the local chief executive in their city or municipality. They must also have undertaken the proper coordination with their respective barangay officials.

Briones said students who will be participating in the face-to-face classes must also have the written consent of their parents.

“Schools are given flexibility in contact time for teaching and learning, provided that meals are not taken in school except during managed recess,” she said.

“Only vaccinated teachers may participate in the face-to-face classes, and vaccinated learners shall be preferred,” she added.

Regional directors have submitted a total of 6,686 schools nationwide that have passed the SSAT, of which 6,586 are public schools and 100 are private schools.

The DepEd noted that it will increase as the rest of the schools are able to address their respective SSAT gaps.

Starting classes

Regional directors with areas under Alert Level 2 reported varying commencement dates for their expansion phases during the joint Execom-Mancom meeting held on February 2.

In the National Capital Region (NCR), at least 28 pilot schools will resume on February 9.

In Region II, 12 recommended schools in School Division Office (SDO) Batanes, which is now under Alert Level 2, are ready to implement the expanded face-to-face classes.

“Should the LGUs approve the conduct, face-to-face classes in Batanes will start next week from February 7 to 11,” the DepEd said.

In Region III, at least 106 schools in four SDOs of Bulacan are ready to start face-to-face classes on February 21.

A total of 57 schools from eight SDOs in the provinces of Rizal with 21 schools and Cavite with 36 schools under Alert Level 2 are slated to participate in the expanded phase of the limited face-to-face classes in Region IV-A.

Meanwhile, in Southern Leyte and Biliran City SDOs that are in Alert Level 2, three schools of SDO Southern Leyte will start classes on February 7 while Maasin City with seven schools and Biliran City with six schools will kick off on February 14.

“The rest of the regions, as well as divisions in the above regions outside of those already under Alert Level 2, are continuing their preparations for the expanded phase of face-to-face classes in anticipation of improvement in the COVID Alert Level in their respective areas,” the DepEd said. — BM, GMA News