2 QC schools ready for in-person classes
Inspected schools also have isolation rooms and on-standby ambulance.
Two Quezon City schools are all set for the Department of Education’s (DepEd) pilot run of limited face-to-face classes on Monday, 6 December.
Based on DepEd’s announcement on Thursday afternoon, Bagong Silangan Elementary School and Payatas B Annex Elementary School in Barangays Bagong Silangan and Payatas, respectively, are among the 28 schools in Metro Manila that will resume in-person classes. Each school underwent safety assessment by DepEd and Department of Health.
“The city government is excited that two of our public schools will be part of the pilot face-to-face classes. Parents can be sure that their children, even the teachers, will be safe when they go back to school,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
Last month, the Quezon City government started issuing safety seals to schools and institutions located in the city, which confirmed their compliance with the minimum health and safety protocols and building regulations set by the national and the local government.
“The safety seal will be the basis for the school’s compliance with standard health and safety protocols so parents, as well as teachers, can be assured that their children will be safe once face-to-face classes begin in the city,” Belmonte said.
Earlier, Mayor Belmonte and the city’s inspection team composed of the Department of Building Official (DBO), Schools Division Office (SDO), City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, and Education Affairs Unit visited Payatas B Annex Elementary School, Bagong Silangan Elementary School and the St. Luke Medical Center College of Medicine in Barangay Kalusugan.
During the visit, the inspection team made sure that the schools have water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, proper ventilation in classrooms, enough classroom space to make sure that physical distancing is strictly implemented. Physical barriers, markers and signage were also put in place to ensure observance of physical distancing.
Inspected schools also have isolation rooms and on-standby ambulance.
According to the SDO, students and teachers will be divided into two groups. Their classes will be a combination of face-to-face classes and distance learning that are scheduled weekly.
Mayor Belmonte said that the city is willing to support schools that need to be retrofitted to comply with standards and regulations. The city will also provide hygiene kits and supplies to students, as well as to the school.
For his part, DBO chief Atty. Dale Perral said the city has already inspected four medical colleges that require hands-on training and laboratory classes namely Far Eastern University, Our Lady of Fatima University, University of the East — Ramon Magsaysay, and World Citi Colleges.
“We are better preparing for face-to-face classes especially since the case of Covid-19 in NCR is declining. Even if the national government has not yet issued an order, we must always be ready to ensure the safety of every student and teacher. We continue to visit and inspect various schools in the city to make sure they are ready. If we see that there is still a shortage or need to fix the school facility, the city government is ready to provide assistance to them,” the mayor added.
Aside from the primary schools, the city has also inspected five medical colleges that require hands-on training and laboratory classes, namely St. Lukes Medical Center — College of Medicine, Far Eastern University, Our Lady of Fatima University, University of the East — Ramon Magsaysay, and World Citi Colleges.