DepEd to add more public, private schools for pilot face-to-face classes

As approved by the Office of the President, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Friday, November 12, that it will add more participating schools in the pilot implementation of face-to-face classes.

From the prior 100 public schools and 20 private schools, DepEd and the Department of Health will finalize the number of pilot schools once validated. The two agencies are working hand in hand in determining the final number of pilot schools based on DepEd’s evaluation of the school readiness, as well as DOH assessment of the COVID-risk level.

As COVID-19 cases in the Philippines continue to follow a downwards trend, DepEd stated that it has received several appeals from local government units (LGUs), including the National Capital Region, to have educational institutions in their jurisdiction selected in the pilot implementation of face-to-face classes.

Moreover, according to the latest transmittal of DOH, 484 out of the 638 have passed their granular risk assessment as minimal or low risk.

“The expansion of the number of pilot schools will allow a greater degree of experience among all our regions that will serve us well for the expanded phase of face-to-face classes,” DepEd wrote in its statement.

On the other hand, the 100 public schools named will begin their pilot face-to-face classes on November 15, while the 20 private schools will start on November 22.

DepEd assured everyone that with the department’s operational guidelines and shared responsibility framework, the pilot program will remain consistent in following the existing public health standards, rules, and regulations.