The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday, Oct. 6, released the timeline for the pilot implementation of limited face-to-face classes for School Year (SY) 2021-2022.
DepEd said that the pilot implementation of face-to-face classes will be implemented within two months starting November 2021 to January 2022.
Based on the timeline released by DepEd, the pilot run of limited face-to-face classes in low risk areas will begin on Nov. 15 which is also the start of Academic Quarter 2 under the current school year.
DepEd said that the assessment of the initial run will be conducted from Nov. 15 to Dec. 22.
Students under the pilot implementation of limited face-to-face classes will go on a Christmas vacation starting Dec. 20 and they will come back on Jan. 3, 2022.
DepEd said that the end of the pilot study is scheduled on Jan. 31, 2022.
The evaluation of the pilot study and the presentation to the President of the pilot report and proposed expansion will take place in February 2022.
Depending on the result of the evaluation, DepEd eyes the target start of expansion for limited face-to-face classes on March 7, 2022.
In its initial list, DepEd has identified 59 schools that were already approved to hold limited face-to-face classes.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2021/10/06/deped-names-59-schools-included-in-pilot-run-of-limited-face-to-face-classes-to-start-on-nov-15/
Anchored on the DepEd Framework of Shared Responsibility and UN Agencies – World Bank Framework of Reopening Schools, DepEd said that the pilot implementation will be guided by the Joint Circular Memorandum Circular (JMC) in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH).
The said JMC features four key pillars: 1) Safe Operations, 2) Teaching and Learning, 3) Including the Most Marginalized, and 4) Wellbeing and Protection.
Under Safe Operations, a maximum of 120 schools (95 elementary schools, five senior high schools, and 20 private schools) will be chosen for the pilot.
These schools must be located at minimal risk areas and passed the School Safety Assessment Tool (SSAT).
DepEd noted that local government units (LGUs) must also express their support with a resolution or letter allowing the conduct of the pilot run in the community.
Additionally, DepEd said that participating learners must submit signed consent from their parents, and preferably near the school and without existing comorbidities.
“Teachers and school staff who will directly interact with learners in the pilot run, meanwhile, must be fully vaccinated,” DepEd added.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2021/09/27/only-fully-vaxxed-teachers-personnel-can-participate-in-pilot-face-to-face-classes/
DepEd said that for the Teaching and Learning standards, blended learning will be applied alternately --- one week face-to-face and another week distance learning.
As stated in the JMC, class sizes must only be 12 learners for Kinder; 16 for Grades 1 to 3; 20 for Senior High School (SHS); and 12 SHS in TVL workshops/Science laboratories, with a maximum of 4.5 hours stay in school, except for Kindergarten, with a maximum of three hours.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2021/09/20/junior-high-school-students-not-yet-included-in-limited-in-person-classes-deped/
To guarantee the well being and protection of learners and personnel, DepEd said that the JMC also required schools to have physical distancing-compliant classroom layout and structure, safe school traffic management, protective measures and safety procedures, psychological support, and contingency plan --- among others.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2021/10/06/who-will-be-responsible-if-a-student-gets-covid-19-during-face-to-face-classes/
Meanwhile, DepEd reminded that participation to the pilot study for limited face-to-face classes will be voluntary for students.
DepEd said that written consent of parents is required for their child to participate in the pilot implementation of face-to-face classes if their school is chosen.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2021/09/21/attending-limited-face-to-face-classes-will-be-voluntary-deped-says/