Dep-Ed enables more institutions to offer face-to-face lessons

Erma G. Segismundo

President Rodrigo Duterte gave the go-ahead for the Department of Education (DepEd) to start the progressive growth phase of limited face-to-face sessions on Wednesday, February 2. This means that regional units can start this phase now.

"With the help of the community, local government units, government agencies, and other stakeholders, school openings on these campuses went off without a hitch." In a message to reporters, DepEd Eastern Visayas regional information officer Jasmin Calzita stated, "The parents and learners voiced their entire support for the extension of the restricted face-to-face lessons."

Three hundred four public schools are in Alert Level 2 locations, where basic education students can attend face-to-face sessions.

Among these schools are 118 schools in Metro Manila, 12 schools in the Cagayan Valley, 106 schools in Central Luzon, 57 schools in CALABARZON, and 16 schools in Eastern Visayas.

"As of today, no face-to-face courses are taking place because schools are on their mid-year vacation for February 2-5 under the SY 2021-2022 Calendar," according to the agency.

"The rest of the regions, as well as divisions in the above regions outside of those already under Alert Level 2," the DepEd continued, "are continuing their preparations for the expanded phase of face-to-face classes in anticipation of an improvement in the COVID-19 Alert Level in their respective areas."

According to the "Interim Guidelines on the Expansion of Limited Face-to-Face Classes," which were released on February 1, expansion schools must meet the School Safety Assessment Tool's standards, be located in areas with Alert Levels 1 and 2, obtain the approval of the local government unit and written consent from participants' parents, and cooperate with respective barangays for execution.

Other grade levels may already be included in the growth phase, depending on their capabilities. Only a few grade levels were allowed in the experiment — kindergarten, grades 1–3, and senior high school.

--oOo-

The author is Secondary School Teacher-III at Digos City National High School, Schools Division of Digos City, Region XI-Davao Region