DepEd: 46 schools appeal to join November 15 pilot face-to-face classes

The Department of Education on Tuesday said 46 schools are requesting to be included in the pilot  run of face-to-face classes, which is set to start on November 15.

In a press conference, DepEd Director Malcolm Garma said that they are still assessing these schools, which were not included in the 59 schools initially approved by the Department of Health for the pilot.

“Meron pong mga local government units na humihiling na sana masama din yung mga eskuwelahan sa kanilang mga lugar dito sa pilot face-to-face,” he said.

(There are local government units who are requesting to that their schools be included in the pilot study.)

DepEd regional offices nominated a total of 638 schools for the activity.

Of the 46 schools that made the request, Garma said, only 29 are already part of the 638 schools, while 17 had not been nominated by their regions.

The Department of Health's Epidemiology Bureau assessed the 638 schools and approved only 59 because of their minimal or low risk for COVID-19.

However, the regional offices validated these 59 schools for their participation but only 30 will continue as some LGUs and parents refused to participate.

The 30 schools are located in regions Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and Soccsksargen.

Citing the latest but unofficial information, Garma said they were updated that 70 schools are actually set for the face-to-face classes on November 15.

But, he noted that the number can still change depending on LGUs, parents, and trend of COVID-19 cases in the concerned areas.

In accordance to its memorandum, Garma said, the DepEd still aims to have 100 public schools and 20 schools participate in the pilot of face-to-face classes. — BM, GMA News