304 schools are ready to join limited face-to-face classes—DepEd

MANILA, Philippines — Some 304 schools under Alert Level 2 are now prepared to participate in the pilot face-to-face classes, the Department of Education (DepEd) reported on Friday.

In his presentation during an online briefing, DepEd Assistant Secretary Malcolm Garma said that of the total number, 123 are located in Metro Manila, 106 in Region 3, 54 in Region IV-A, and 12 in Region 2.

These 304 schools are included in the 6,347 public schools, which are now “ready” to be included in the expansion of the limited face-to-face classes, Garma added.

Of the 6,347 public schools, 6,043 schools are in areas under Alert Level 3. However, according to Garma, the said schools could not proceed.

DepEd previously authorized the start of face-to-face classes in public and private schools in areas under alert levels one and two under the DepEd-DOH (Department of Health) Joint Memorandum Circular 001 series of 2021.

According to the order, students who will be participating in the face-to-face classes must also have the written consent of their parents. Only vaccinated teachers may participate in the face-to-face classes, and vaccinated learners shall be preferred.

According to the agency, some 71 percent of DepEd teaching and non-teaching personnel, and 64 percent of students aged 12 to 17 without comorbidities are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

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