As of May 11, more than 24% of Western Visayas schools, or 1,247 out of 5,068 total, are ready for restricted face-to-face (F2F) classes.

913 are yet to begin onsite classes, according to Western Visayas information officer Hernani Escullar Jr.

“They are passers of our school safety assessment test and have been recommended by our division offices for validation by our regional team,” Escullar said. 

Those who were unable to begin with the limited face-to-face classes this year but who passed the regional validation may start in the next school year, according to Escullar.

He noted that despite the fact that there is no clear order from the central office yet,  somehow this is already a preparation for the following school year.

If the downward trend in Covid-19 cases in the region maintains, Escullar believes that most schools will be able to begin their restricted F2F classes.

Because classes will conclude on June 27, the Department of Education in Western Visayas will use the two-month break to validate schools that are willing to conduct limited physical education classes.

Following a pilot run of physical classes last year, President Rodrigo Duterte accepted the Department of Education’s proposal in January to extend in-person classes at public and private schools in areas under Alert Levels 1 and 2.

In February, the Department of Education expanded the “progressive expansion” of face-to-face sessions to include more grade levels. Only kindergarten, Grades 1–3, and senior high school students were allowed to participate in the experimental run of in-person classes. 

Participating schools must (1) follow the Department of Education’s School Safety Assessment Tool, (2) be located in areas with Alert Levels 1 and 2, and (3) obtain approval from the local government unit.

Additionally, only vaccinated teachers are allowed to teach the in-person classes, and students must have written agreement from their parents.  – WhatALife!

Source: (pna.gov.ph), (inquirer.net)

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