More than 34,000 schools have been nominated to implement face-to-face classes, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday, May 30, announced.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones, during the Laging Handa public briefing, said that as of May 26, 34,238 schools have been nominated for face-to-face classes nationwide.

“Out of these 34,238 schools, 33,000 are public schools and 1,174 are private schools,” Briones said.

Briones noted that to date, 73.28 percent of the total number of public schools across the country have been nominated to hold face-to-face classes amid the pandemic.

“Basta may clearance galing sa Department of Health, at saka sa tingin namin ay pumapayag naman ang mga local governments at saka may consent ng mga parents ay talagang tinutuloy na natin ang face-to-face classes (As long as there is clearance from the Department of Health, and if we think that the local governments agree and then with the consent of the parents, we will continue the face-to-face classes),” Briones said.

Meanwhile, Briones noted that DepEd is expecting all schools to fully implement the conduct of face-to-face by the next academic year.

However, Briones clarified that the implementation of face-to-face classes would still depend on the overall readiness of the schools.

Briones said that schools may have various formats when it comes to implementing face-to-face classes. Some, she said, are ready in terms of teachers and other resources while others may need “catching up to do.”

Given this, Briones said DepEd officials at the regional level “have to decide what approach to use” when it comes to face-to-face classes since “they know the situation best.”

Briones also emphasized that DepEd’s approach when it comes to the implementation of face-to-face classes would greatly depend on the schools, the LGUs, the state of health in the area, and on assessment of DOH.

“Pero sa ngayon, ine-encourage din ng DOH na talagang tulyan na nating gawin ang face-to-face classes (But for now, the DOH is also encouraging us to really continue doing face-to-face classes),” Briones, said, noting that DepEd is also encouraging private schools to go back to in-person learning.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Merlina Hernando-Malipot

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