To ensure a safe return to schools, Education Secretary Leonor Briones emphasized that the upcoming pilot implementation of face-to-face classes underwent a series of consultations with child health experts and other involved stakeholders.
Briones, in a statement issued Friday, Oct. 8, said that many parents and local government units (LGUs) have been requesting DepEd to allow face-to-face classes.
“We sincerely understand their position. It is why we precisely pushed for the crafting of the guidelines for the limited face-to-face classes together with our child health experts,” Briones said.
Briones noted that DepEd proactively conducted thorough consultations with the Department of Health (DOH), the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID), and concerned groups to draw up the guidelines for the reopening of schools amidst the pandemic.
On Oct. 6, DepEd released the initial list of schools that have been allowed to hold limited in-person classes.
Included in the list are 59 schools that are considered located in minimal to low-risk areas. These schools have passed the granular risk assessment of DOH.
Depending on the weekly assessment report of DOH, DepEd said that the number of schools included in the pilot run will be increased to 120 which is the original target for the study.
DepEd also released the timeline of the pilot implementation of limited face-to-face classes in low risk areas scheduled to start this Nov. 15.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2021/10/06/deped-releases-timeline-of-pilot-face-to-face-classes-for-school-year-2021-2022/
READ: Last month, DepEd and DOH signed the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) for the Pilot Implementation of Face-to-Face Classes in Basic Education after President Duterte approved its conduct in 120 schools on Sept. 20.
DepEd said that the said JMC features four key pillars which include: 1) Safe Operations, 2) Teaching and Learning, 3) Including the Most Marginalized, and 4) Wellbeing and Protection.
The JMC also provides guidance on safe school traffic management, protective measures and safety procedures, psychological support, and contingency plan --- among others.
With the guidelines anchored on the Shared Responsibility framework, Briones also clarified that qualified schools must still secure the permission and consent of the concerned LGUs.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2021/10/06/who-will-be-responsible-if-a-student-gets-covid-19-during-face-to-face-classes/
DepEd also reminded that the participation of school personnel and learners will be on a voluntary basis. “The Department’s utmost priority is still the safety of our stakeholders,” Briones said.
Learners who are qualified according to the guidelines must still provide signed consent from their parents before being allowed to join in the pilot.
“Hinding hindi natin pipilitin ang sinuman para sumali sa pilot phase (We will never force anyone to join the pilot phase),” Briones said.
However, Briones expressed hope that after the pilot run, teachers and parents will have “more confidence” in the actions of DepEd so it can proceed with the gradual resumption of face-to-face classes even amidst the pandemic.
RELATED STORY:
https://mb.com.ph/2021/10/07/face-to-face-classes-can-mitigate-challenges-of-distance-learning-deped-says/