The Department of Education (DepEd)-Taguig-Pateros launched the pilot implementation of face-to-face classes in two public schools in Taguig on Monday, Dec. 6.
In Taguig, face-to-face classes were started at Sen. Renato “Companero” Cayetano Memorial Science and Technology High School and Ricardo P. Cruz Sr. Elementary School.
The two schools are among the 28 schools in the National Capital Region that started face-to-face classes on Dec. 6. The DepEd had earlier included the two schools in the list of 177 additional public schools for pilot face-to-face classes in the country.
During the “Laging Handa” public briefing, DepEd Usec. Nepumuceno Malaluan said the face-to-face classes in the NCR went “smoothly” and they have not received any adverse report.
He said the 28 NCR public schools will be the second and last batch for the pilot face-to-face classes. The participating schools will submit their assessments and DepEd will submit a consolidated report to the Office of the President before the year ends.
Malaluan said based on the good implementation of the program, the DepEd expects a recommendation to increase the number of participating schools early next year.
DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones, he said, has directed regional directors to advise all public and private schools all over the country to be ready for face-to-face classes.
Dr. George Tizon, head of the Taguig City Education Office, had earlier said a dry run of the face-to-face classes was held at Sen. Renato “Companero” Cayetano Memorial Science and Technology High School.
“After passing the strict requirements of DOH , DepEd and Taguig Safe City Task Force through the TIPFLEX Program (Taguig In-Person Flexible Learning) of the City Education Office, all our 39 public schools are ready and some of our public schools were finally allowed F2F classes since Taguig City was the first City to open Face to Face Classes in Private International Schools this November 2021,” he said.
The DepEd and Department of Health issued a joint memorandum circular last September for the guidelines in the face-to-face classes.
“Participation is voluntary with signed written consent from their parent/guardian,” according to the guidelines.
In addition, “only learners from within the city/municipality where the school/learning center is located shall be considered” wherein they “can walk going to school, or, with regulated public transportation, or with available private transport.”
Only students “without existing comorbidities” will be considered for the limited face-to-face classes.