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Attention, parents! Here's DepEd's official statement on limited face-to-face classes

By Racquel Quieta

On Monday, September 20, the Malacañang announced that President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the implementation of limited face-to-face classes in low-risk areas.

This has caused anxiety among parents who are hesitant to send their kids back to school amid the lingering COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the Department of Education (DepEd) clarified in its official statement that the pilot implementation of limited face-to-face classes will only be participated by at least 120 schools.

“…we would like to emphasize that the pilot will only be participated by at least 100 public schools and 20 private schools. These schools are located in minimal-risk areas based on the criteria set by the Department of Health (DOH), and must have passed the safety assessment using the school safety assessment tool of DepEd, and have the support of the local government unit in the form of a resolution or letter of support,” DepEd said in its statement.

Moreover, DepEd underlined that no student shall be forced to attend the face-to-face classes.

“In addition, participating schools must have the written support and consent of parents of students who shall participate in the pilot. No learner shall be forced to attend the pilot implementation of face-to-face classes.”

DepEd also shared the details on how the limited face-to-face classes will be implemented.

“The pilot will be conducted with a combination of face-to-face classes in school and distance learning modalities for two (2) months. Face-to-face classes shall be conducted half-day every other week, with participating schools ensuring that class schedules are arranged equitably so that all qualified learners have the opportunity to attend face-to-face classes.”

The Department of Education's official statement on the pilot implementation of face-to face classes / Source: DepEd

To ensure the safety of the learners and school personnel, operational guidelines have also been prepared by DepEd, together with the Department of Health and with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and other organizations specializing in children's health.

Some of the safety measures that will be implemented during the limited face-to-face classes include the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), proper sanitation and ventilation, detection of possible cases and referral, contact tracing, quarantining, coordination, and contingency measures.

The operational guidelines also list steps on how learners, school personnel and the community can prepare before the school reopening.

The public school participants in the pilot have already been selected, while the private-school participants will still undergo a selection process.

DepEd hopes to gain the full support of the public to make the reopening of schools a safe and successful one.

“As we made a step towards Ligtas na Balik Eskwela, we encourage our stakeholders to continue the Bayanihan for the success of this endeavor and the safety of our teachers and learners.”

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