‘Monumental’: DepEd wraps up first day of pilot face-to-classes

BY Merlina Hernando-Malipot
Nov 15, 2021 09:19 PM

While School Year (SY) 2021-2022 officially started in September, it feels like the first day of classes all over again on Monday, Nov. 15 --- the first day of the pilot implementation of face-to-face classes for basic education.

A pupil in Motiong Central Elementary School, Samar welcomes the first day of pilot face-to-face classes on Nov. 15, 2021 with his hands clasped in prayer. (Photo courtesy of DepEd)

Albeit limited, select public schools nationwide were finally able to hold face-to-face classes after 20 months since school closure was implemented due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

DepEd, in a statement, welcomed all the participating learners, teachers, and personnel in 100 public schools earlier identified for the pilot run.

The agency recognized the contribution and support of its partners on the implementation of limited face-to-face classes. The first day, DepEd said, is considered the “key phase in our safe return to school advocacy.”

DepEd said that even when schools were closed in March 2020, the concerned units and officials did not stop planning for the eventual resumption of in-person classes which has led to this “monumental day.”

In the 100 public schools identified by DepEd, the total number of expected learners who will join the pilot face-to-face classes is 5,245.

Based on the guidelines issued by DepEd and the Department of Health (DOH), only learners from Kindergarten, Grades 1 to 3, and select Senior High School (SHS) students under the techvoc track will participate in the two-month pilot implementation.

After getting the President’s approval to increase the number of pilot participants, DepEd said that more learners in both public and private schools will follow suit in the coming weeks.

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/13/deped-to-schools-prepare-for-expansion-phase-of-face-to-face-classes/

First day

Based on the series of posts on DepEd’s Facebook Page, the participating schools were able to pull off the first day of the reintroduction of limited face-to-face classes.

In Laserna Integrated School in Nabas, Aklan, for instance, the participating learners were full of smiles and joy as they returned to the classroom while their teachers greeted them just from the school gate.

All teachers, students, and other officials were required to pass through the washing area, temperature checking, and triage area to ensure the safety of everyone inside the school.

(Photo courtesy of DepEd)

In Mary Perpetua E. Brioso National High School in Tigbao, Milagros Masbate, some of the Grade 11 and 12 learners have also returned to their classrooms on the first day of the pilot implementation of face-to-face classes.

(Photo courtesy of DepEd)

Part of the strict safety protocols implemented by the school is requiring teachers, students, and other officials to pass through the washing area, temperature checking, and triage area for everyone’s safety.

(Photo courtesy of DepEd)

Motiong Central Elementary School, which is located in the town of Motiong, Samar made its classrooms fun and colorful.

(Photo courtesy of DepEd)

(Photo courtesy of DepEd)

(Photo courtesy of DepEd Tayo GenSan Facebook Page)

The conduct of the first day of classes in Dumalneg Elementary School, Ilocos Norte; Aspang Elementary School in General Santos City; and Sinalongan Elementary School in was also safe and orderly.

(Photo courtesy of DepEd Tayo GenSan Facebook Page)

(Photo courtesy of DepEd Tayo GenSan Facebook Page)

DepEd Bicol, on the other hand, distributed school supplies and hygiene kits to 143 students (Kinder to Grade 3) of Buenavista Elementary School in Sorsogon City, Bicol Region.

As part of its safety protocol, San Isidro Elementary School in Ilocos Norte disinfected the classrooms after the first day of pilot face-to-face classes.

Unfortunate circumstances

While it was generally successful, there were also challenges during the first day of pilot face-to-face classes.

In particular, three out of the 10 schools in Zambales postponed the conduct of pilot face-to-face classes after some teachers tested positive for COVID-19.

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/15/2-schools-in-zambales-postpone-first-week-of-pilot-face-to-face-classes-deped/

DepEd Schools Division Office (SDO) - Zambales Assistant Schools Division said that even if the pilot implementation of limited in-person classes in these schools have been delayed, the first day of classes was generally a success.

“Overall, even the handling of situation , we did okay because the preparations were also okay,” she told the Manila Bulletin in a mix of English and Filipino.

For instance, Burgos Elementary School in Botolan, Zambales, was able to successfully push through with the first day of classes. The IP school has 85 K to 3 learners who were set to participate in the pilot face-to-face classes.

While the pilot study has just started, DepEd expressed optimism that with everyone’s help in improving country’s COVID-19 situation, the vision to safely reopen more schools nationwide is “not a far reality.”

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/15/pilot-face-to-face-classes-begins-in-ph-after-nearly-2-years-of-school-closure-due-to-pandemic/

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