DAVAO CITY – The Davao City Government and the Department of Education (Deped) 11 are conferring on the possibility of resuming face-to-face courses in certain schools in the city with low COVID-19 risk.

Members of the COVID-19 Task Force discussed the resumption of the face-to-face classes on selected schools after the Deped-Davao reached out to Mayor Sara “Inday” Duterte-Carpio for lists of pilot schools for face-to-face courses.

The face-to-face classes have been suspended since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic last year for the safety and protection of teachers and students. All schools, colleges, and universities, instead, adapted to online learning.

Mayor Sara said in her weekly radio program over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR 87.5) that her office was asked to submit a list of public schools where face-to-face classes will be rolled out, which was discussed in the meeting.

She said the agreement is that 182 barangays would be rated based on risk assessment, with the top three barangays (180, 181, and 182) chosen for the pilot face-to-face classes. She, however, added that not all schools will be included in the trial.

“Our initial submission will be one school for each barangay,” Mayor Sara said, adding that not a single actual agreement or consultation with colleges and universities on this exercise has been initiated.

“We do not have awareness if there are colleges or universities which are ready for face-to-face classes. We also do not have coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), if they will allow beyond allied or medical courses,” the mayor said.

Mayor Sara said the city has no information yet whether there are colleges or universities which are ready for face-to-face classes. She, however, added that if the CHED announced that they will allow medical and allied courses, then it is expected that schools offering these courses will open.