90% of public schools to hold in-person classes starting Aug. 22
Education Usec. Epimaco Densing III. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday estimated that 90% of the country’s 47,000 public schools would hold face-to-face classes on August 22.
In 2021, 76% of public schools held classes in person, according to DepEd Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III.
“We expect this to rise to 90%. About 10% will still be blended, and we will be coordinating with the local government units to ensure they will allow face-to-face classes by that time,” Densing said in a press briefing.
Densing also said most private schools will still hold blended learning — a mix of remote and in-person classes — until October 31.
When the classes open on August 22, schools still have the option to hold remote classes, blended learning mode, or in-person classes.
However, all public and private schools must conduct in-person classes in November, as per DepEd Order No. 34.
To augment classrooms, especially in areas hit by natural disasters, DepEd earlier said it is setting up temporary learning spaces.
Densing said the class size had been reduced from one room per 70 students to 1:45 up to 1:55 ratio.
He added shifting only happens in highly urbanized areas like Metro Manila.
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