DepEd exec: More grade levels joining expanded in-person classes

More grade levels will be included in the conduct of expanded face-to-face classes in the country amid the COVID-219 pandemic, an official of the Department of Education said Wednesday.

Interviewed on Dobol B TV, DepEd Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan said that only Kindergarten to Grade 3 as well as Senior High School students were allowed to participate during the pilot run.

“Ibubukas na ito sa more grade levels (the pilot run will be opened to more grade levels),” he said.

The DepEd has recommended the progressive expansion of face-to-face classes in areas under Alert Levels 1 and 2.

Secretary Leonor Briones earlier said the expansion of face-to-face classes will commence not earlier than the first week of February.

On Tuesday, Malacañang said President Rodrigo Duterte backed DepEd’s plan to expand in-person classes by February.

In a statement on Wednesday, the DepEd said it is elated that Duterte expressed his strong support and trust in the expansion of the limited face-to-face classes.

During the conduct of pilot face-to-face classes from November 15 to December 20 last year, DepEd said 287 public and private schools participated nationwide.

“There was no recorded confirmed COVID-19 case among the 15,683 learners who participated in the pilot implementation of limited face-to-face classes,” the DepEd said.

According to DepEd, there are around 47,000 public schools and 12,000 private schools in the country. —LBG, GMA News