120 schools lined up for proposed pilot face to face classes

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Eduction on Thursday said that 120 schools are lined up for pilot face-to-face classes.

“We are informed that DOH has announced 120 schools planned for pilot face-to-face, subject to approval by [the] President,” said DepEd Usec. Nepomuceno Malaluan.

This is more than the 100 schools presented by DepEd to the Senate on Wednesday, Aug. 25.

According to Malaluan, this came upon the request of DepEd Sec. Leonor Briones that more private schools be allowed to hold physical classes.

“No identified private schools yet; we will disclose the process upon approval of the Joint DepEd-DOH guidelines,” said Malaluan.

 “DepEd has yet to present at next Cabinet meeting,” he added.

 The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) has said the Philippines is among the five countries that have not resumed in-person classes since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

It explained that the consequences of keeping schools closed are “learning loss, mental distress, missed vaccinations, and heightened risk of dropout, child labor, and child marriage.”

 The pilot resumption of face-to-face classes in low-risk areas was first approved by President Rodrigo Duterte in January, but he quickly revoked the decision after variants ofCOVID-19 were reported in the country.

Meanwhile, the upcoming school year is set to begin on September 13, which will still be conducted through blended learning.

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