DepEd to conclude pilot study of face-to-face classes this month

DID YOU MISS ME? With face masks on, Grade 3 pupils at Comembo Elementary School in Makati City ease back into their usual classroom activities during Thursday’s “simulation” of in-person classes, after almost two years of missing each other and their teachers. —RICHARD A. REYES

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) will conclude this month the pilot implementation of face-to-face classes in the country to determine whether it can be expanded to more areas.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones said Thursday the pilot study of in-person classes, which started on Nov. 15, is successful so far, saying there has not been a single recorded case of COVID-19 among students.

“Tatapusin na namin itong pilot na ito by December para ma-assess namin ang success. But so far very successful naman,” she said in an awarding ceremony in Mandaluyong City.

(We will finish the pilot by December so that we can assess its success. But so far it’s been very successful.)

“Talagang iimplement namin ang tunay na polisiya para sa edukasyon ang blended learning, combination ng digital learning at saka face-to-face,” she added.

(We will implement the true policy for education which is blended learning, a combination of digital learning and face-to-face classes.)

Briones said the government aims to open face-to-face classes not only in rural areas but also in urban areas with high concentrations of children such as Metro Manila and Calabarzon, and other highly urbanized cities.

“Malaki ang aming interest na mag open ng face-to-face hindi lang sa mga lugar na walang masyadong tao kundi sa urban areas. We’re thinking largely of NCR, we’re thinking largely also of Region 4A, and the large cities na napakaraming bata ang na-concentrate doon,” she said.

(We are highly interested in opening face-to-face classes not only in areas with low population but also in urban areas. We’re thinking of Metro Manila and Calabarzon and large cities with large concentrations of children.)

At present, over 300 schools are conducting face-to-face classes, including 28 in Metro Manila.

EDV