DepEd lists schools nominated to conduct face-to-face class dry run

The Department of Education has already created a list of schools nominated to conduct a dry run for the resumption of face-to-face classes in areas with low risk for COVID-19.

DepEd Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla told GMA News Online that they will still have to evaluate these schools in terms of their readiness for the face-to-face classes.

“While we have a list of nominated schools from regions, we will still evaluate its compliance with criteria and readiness,” Sevilla said.

However, Sevilla said DepEd will only share the list of nominated schools once they pass the ‘final terms’ as cleared by the Office of the President and the Inter-Agency Task Force.

She noted that the low risk areas should be at least under the modified general community quarantine.

“But we need to await for the final terms,” she added.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV on Tuesday, DepEd Secretary Leonor  Briones said the department asked regional directors to recommend schools for face-to-face classes.

“Pero may mga kondisyon. Hindi lang kondisyon namin sa department na tinanggap naman ni Presidente. Una, siya ang magde-decide,” Briones said.

“Pangalawa, kung i-implement 'yan, kailangan may pahintulot ang local government,” she added.

Briones said that some local government units are open to the conduct of face-to-face classes, while some are not.

“Pangatlo, kailangan may written consent of parents na ang kanilang anak ay puwedeng  pumasok sa face-to-face classes,” she said.

Aside from these, other factors should also be considered such as the safety of transportation for the students in concerned areas, Briones said.

So far, the DepEd secretary said most of the areas that expressed interest in conducting face-to-face classes are in rural areas. Some mayors recommended communities of indigenous peoples.

Briones noted that the number of students allowed in face-to-face classes would be limited.

Asked if DepEd will be held accountable in case a student gets COVID-19, Briones said that matter should be a shared responsibility with concerned authorities such as local government units.

On Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte approved DepEd’s proposal to conduct face-to-face classes in areas with low COVID-19 risk in January 2021, his spokesperson Harry Roque said.

In May this year, the government disallowed face-to-face classes until a COVID-19 vaccine is discovered and communities have adjusted to the “new normal” in light of the pandemic. —KG, GMA News