2 QC schools ready for pilot face-to-face classes on Monday — Belmonte

QC Mayor Joy Belmonte inspects several classrooms in Payatas Elementary School in time for the start of the pilot face-to-face classes on Dec. 6. Contributed photo

MANILA, Philippines — Two Quezon City public elementary schools are all set for the Department of Education’s (DepEd) pilot run of limited face-to-face classes on Monday, December 6, 2021.

Based on DepEd’s announcement, Bagong Silangan Elementary School and Payatas B Annex Elementary School in Barangays Bagong Silangan and Payatas respectively are among the 28 schools in Metro Manila that will resume in-person classes. Each school underwent safety assessment done both by DepEd and the Department of Health.

“We are happy that two of our public schools will have pilot face-to-face classes,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said. “We assure parents that their children, and also the teachers, will be safe in their return.”

Last month, the LGU started issuing safety seals to schools and institutions in the city, which confirms the establishments’ strict compliance with the minimum health and safety protocols and building regulations provided by national and local standards.

Earlier, Belmonte and the city’s inspection team composed of the Department of Building Official (DBO), Schools Division Office (SDO), City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU), and Education Affairs Unit (EAU) visited Payatas B Annex Elementary School, Bagong Silangan Elementary School and St. Luke’s Medical Center College of Medicine in Barangay Kalusugan.

During the said visit, the inspection team made sure that the schools have water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities, proper ventilation in classrooms, with enough space to make sure that physical distancing is strictly implemented. Physical barriers, markers and signages were also put in place to ensure observance of physical distancing. Inspected schools also have isolation rooms and on-standby ambulance.

According to the SDO, students and teachers will be divided into two groups. Their classes will be a combination of face-to-face classes and distance learning that are scheduled weekly.

Belmonte assures that the LGU will  support schools that need retrofitting to be able to comply with standards and regulations. The city will also provide hygiene kits and supplies for students, as well as for the school.

For his part, DBO chief Atty. Dale Perral said the city has inspected four medical colleges that require hands-on training and laboratory classes namely Far Eastern University, Our Lady of Fatima University, University of the East – Ramon Magsaysay, and World Citi Colleges.

“We are really getting ready for the resumption of face to fce classes now that COVID-19 cases have dropped to its lowest in NCR”, Belmonte said. “Throughout the city, we are continuously visiting and inspecting  all schools  to make sure that every student and teacher will be safe, once face to face classes are approved by national government.” “All deficiencies in the facilities found by the teams are immediately remedied, and rest assured we are giving them all out support,” she added.

Aside from the primary schools, the city has also inspected five medical colleges that require hands-on training and laboratory classes namely St. Luke’s Medical Center – College of Medicine, Far Eastern University, Our Lady of Fatima University, University of the East – Ramon Magsaysay, and World Citi Colleges.

JPV