The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday said it was ready to start the pilot of limited face-to-face (F2F) classes in select public schools this month.
In a “Laging Handa” briefing, Education Secretary Leonor Briones said the DepEd had completed the list of 100 schools to participate in the pilot.
“All set na for Nov. 15, nabuo na natin ang 100 public schools at binubuo na ngayon ang 20 private schools,” she said.
Initially, the DepEd nominated 1,900 schools to launch the in-person classes, then cut the number to 329.
“Kung ano ang resulta nitong ating pilot study, puwede nating i-extend ito at lalong paramihin natin ang mga eskuwelahan na magkaroon ng face-to-face classes. So, we’re all set,” Briones said.
President Rodrigo Duterte in September approved limited face-to-face classes for the first time amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
These classes are subject to a safety assessment by the DepEd and the approval of local government units.
Students qualified to participate in the pilot must provide signed consent forms from their parents before being allowed to attend.
Participation of school personnel and learners in the in-person classes will be voluntary. John Ezekiel J. Hirro