All public schools in Batac City join expanded in-person classes

Pupils at an elementary school in Batac City, Ilocos Norte had their temperatures checked before entering the premises. (Photo courtesy of DepEd Batac City)

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte—All public schools in Batac City in this province were given the go-ahead by the Department of Education (DepEd) to join the expanded in-person classes.

The Schools Division of Batac said Wednesday that the 33 public schools in the area passed a safety audit and other guidelines set by DepEd.

Dr. Joel B. Lopez, DepEd superintendent, said Batac schools division was the first in the region and the country to have opened 100 percent of its schools.

Describing the process as “rigorous,” the division said they had to tap their stakeholders and the local government to support them.

On Feb. 21, only 13 schools were initially approved to join the resumption of in-person classes.

The private school Graceland Saviour’s Institution, Inc., was allowed to implement in-person classes in Batac, the DepEd said.

Technical teams were created to assist all schools in the safe conduct of physical classes in the city. INQ

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