On F2F classes, vaccination and grad rites

Ma. Adeline C. Dizon

The Department of Education has cited its good collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in implementing the guidelines of limited face-to-face classes and vaccination.

With the expansion phase of face-to-face classes already implemented, the DepEd is continuously adopting its shared responsibility framework by working with DOH and DILG. The collaboration aims to ensure that policies to protect education stakeholders are streamlined among the three agencies.

The program for face-to-face classes is a responsibility of the three main agencies with DepEd as the main implementing agency. The Department of Health is the partner on health issues and risk assessment reports while the DILG is a key stakeholder for the progressive expansion since face-to-face classes cannot commence in the areas declared as Level 1&2 and without the consent of local government units.

All regional directors had been directed to commence the progressive expansion phase of face-to-face classes for both public and private schools.

The agency also emphasized that the working arrangement with DOH is also important on the vaccination program of the government.

Between DepEd and DOH, the DepEd is responsible for matters of policy development, information campaigns, capacity buildings, and actual learning delivery. On matters of health issues, it is the DOH which is responsible, officials noted.

The DepEd also complies with national policies followed by all public institutions, including guidelines on unvaccinated individuals.

Meanwhile, the Department is optimistic that schools will be able to conduct limited physical End-of-School-Year (EOSY) rites for School Year 2021-2022, depending on the risk assessment in various regions of the country.

In anticipation of the physical graduation rites, the Office of the Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction (OUCI) is already planning and developing the guidelines on how to conduct the said activity.

The graduation ceremony will not be the same as before the pandemic and assured that proper health and safety protocols will be maintained throughout the ceremony.

--oOo-

The author is Teacher I at Fulgencio Matias Elementary School, Sta. Ana District