Implementation of limited face-to-face classes

President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the recommendation of the Department of Education (DepEd) to expand limited face-to-face classes in areas under Alert Levels 1 and 2 by February, in turn, Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones authorized all regional directors to start the progressive expansion phase of face-to-face classes for both public and private sch oo l s.

Secretary Briones proposed the “progressive expansion” of in-person classes in areas under Alert Levels 1 and 2 following the positive outcome of the pilot run from Nov. 15 to Dec. 22, 2021.

Pending the issuance of a revised joint memorandum for the expansion phase, the DepEd said current main protocols and standards “shall remain applicable as appropriate”, with the following main parameters for inclusion:

*Expansion schools have been validated as compliant with the standards of the School Safety Assessment Tool (SSAT).

*Schools must be located in areas under alert levels 1 and 2 based on the periodic risk assessment by the Department of Health.

*Schools may already include other grade levels based on the capacity of schools. *Schools or Division must have secured the concurrence of the Local Chief Executive in the City or Municipality where the expansion school is located, and the schools must also have taken the proper coordination with their respective barangay officials.

*Students participating in the face-to-face classes must 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.

*Only vaccinated teachers may participate in the face-to-face classes, and vaccinated learners shall be preferred.

The DepEd regional directors have so far submitted a list of 6,686 schools nationwide that have passed the SSAT, of which 6,586 are public schools and 100 are private schools.

ccording to the DepEd, the schools are on their mid-year break and the pilot of faceto-face classes will resume on February 7 “but certain divisions may start on a later date following the class suspensions during the Omicron surge in certain affected areas.”

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases earlier placed the National Capital Region and the provinces of Batanes, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, Biliran, Southern Leyte, and Basilan under Alert Level 2 beginning last February 1.

--oOo-The author is Teacher III at Justino Sevilla High School