DepEd OKs ‘progressive expansion’ of in-person classes in areas under alert levels 1 and 2

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education on Wednesday authorized the start of face-to-face classes in public and private schools in areas under alert levels one and two.

DepEd made the announcement after President Rodrigo Duterte approved its recommendation for the progressive expansion of face-to-face classes amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to DepEd, the main protocols and standards in the DepEd-DOH (Department of Health) Joint Memorandum Circular 001, series 2021 “shall remain applicable as appropriate,” while the issuance of a Revised Joint Memorandum for the expansion phase remains pending.

DepEd then required participating schools to follow the following before being allowed to start in-person classes:

1. Expansion schools have been validated as compliant with the standards of the School Safety Assessment Tool (SSAT)

2. Schools must be located in areas under alert levels 1 and 2 based on the periodic risk assessment by the Department of Health

3. Schools may already include other grade levels based on the capacity of schools

4. Schools or Division must have secured the concurrence of the Local Chief Executive in the City or Municipality where the expansion school is located, and the schools must also have taken the proper coordination with their respective barangay officials.

5. Students participating in the face-to-face classes must have the written consent of their parents.

6. Schools are given flexibility in contact time for teaching and learning, provided that meals are not taken in school except during managed recess.

7. Only vaccinated teachers may participate in the face-to-face classes, and vaccinated learners shall be preferred.

DOH said that the original 28 pilot schools in Metro Manila will resume on February 9, while the expansion of schools will progressively start their classes from the same day onwards.

Batanes, with 12 schools, will start within February 7 to 11; Region III, with 106 schools, on February 21; Region IV-A, 57 schools, on February 14; while 16 schools in Region VIII will also start on February 14.

Meanwhile, DOH said that other divisions might start later due to the Omicron surge and Typhoon Odette.

“The rest of the Regions, as well as Divisions in the above Regions outside of those already under Alert Level 2, are continuing their preparations for the expanded phase of face-to-face classes in anticipation of improvement in the COVID Alert Level in their respective areas,” said DOH.

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