By Regina Elaine Vendivil

The pilot run of limited face-to-face classes in schools located in low-risk areas for COVID-19 will commence on November 15, 2021, the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Wednesday, October 6, 2021.

During the Senate basic education committee hearing, DepEd Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan stated the limited physical classes will start on November 15, which is also the beginning of the second grading quarter for public schools. 

Malaluan added that the initial assessment will be conducted from the start of the dry run until December 22, while the pilot study will conclude on January 31, 2022. 

“We will be preparing for assessments of possible expansion schools. So that by the time we’re able to submit to the President the recommendation, hopefully, in favor of the expansion, we’d also have schools ready for the expansion,” Malaluan said.

According to Malaluan during the senate hearing, 59 public schools have passed the DOH assessment to conduct the pilot limited physical classes. 

He also mentioned that DepEd will continue to assess other schools to determine whether they can join the pilot run until the initial quota for schools is reached. 

DepEd is also eyeing the expansion of face-to-face classes to other areas in the country on March 7, 2022. 

The dry run of physical classes in minimal risk areas for COVID-19 was approved by President Rodrigo Duterte last September, with DepEd claiming that they have about 120 participating schools— 100 public schools and 20 private schools.

References:

Magsambol, B. (2021, October 6). Limited face-to-face classes in schools to start on November 15. Rappler; Rappler. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/nation/limited-face-to-face-classes-schools-start-november-15-2021 

Gonzales, C. (2021, October 6). Pilot run of face-to-face classes to start on Nov. 15 — DepEd. INQUIRER.net. Retrieved from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1497743/pilot-run-of-face-to-face-classes-to-start-on-nov-15-deped 

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