Dry run to give DepEd info on how to hold classes amid COVID-19

The dry run of face-to-face classes in areas with low COVID-19 risk in January 2021 will provide the Department of Education with the necessary information on how to conduct them amid the threat of the pandemic.

“The pilot will provide important experience and learning that will inform the final recommendation that DepEd intends to make on any broader resumption of face-to-face classes,” the DepEd said in a statement.

The DepEd also emphasized that the pilot will be highly selective based on the following stringent conditions:

• The pilot implementation will take place only in areas categorized as low-risk (at least under modified general community quarantine)
• There must be a commitment for shared responsibility of DepEd, the local government unit and the parents or guardians of the students
• Stringent health and safety measures shall be followed at home, during travel to and from the schools and within school premises

The DepEd said that the participation of students for the pilot face-to-face classes would be voluntary with the requisite permit issued by the parents.

It added classes would not be conducted for the full week schedule but would be under a staggered or intermittent schedule with a reduced class size to allow proper physical distancing within the classroom.

DepEd said regional directors had already submitted to Education Secretary Leonor Briones their nominated schools for inclusion in the pilot.

The number of public schools that will participate in the dry run will be determined within the month upon validation and evaluation of their compliance and readiness.

Once selected, DepEd said participating schools, LGUs, students and parents will undergo a thorough process of orientation, mobilization and readiness confirmation before the actual implementation.

“The conduct and monitoring will be closely coordinated by the Department with the COVID-19 National Task Force (NTF). External organizations are also invited to support, give feedback, and help generate resources to ensure the success of the program,” DepEd said.

Earlier, DepEd 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 the DepEd would still have to evaluate these schools in terms of their readiness for the face-to-face classes.

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.

On Monday, Duterte approved DepEd’s proposal to conduct pilot face-to-face classes in areas with low COVID-19 risk next year.

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