3 Pateros schools to join face-to-face classes in January — Mayor Ponce
Pateros Mayor Miguel “Ike” Ponce III said three schools in the municipality are included in the expanded phase of face-to-face classes next year.
No school in Pateros was included in the pilot implementation of the Department of Education’s face-to-face classes in the National Capital Region, which started last Dec. 6.
“We are included in the expanded (phase) in January. I prefer this since there are only a few days left in December before vacation (of students),” Ponce told DZMM Teleradyo recently.
The DepEd issued Memorandum No. 85 dated Dec. 9 on the “preparations for the implementation of the expanded phase of face-to-face classes.”
Ponce said of the three schools selected for the face-to-face classes, two are elementary.
“We cannot vaccinate up to Grade Five so I want to observe how this will run, if the decrease in (COVID-19 cases) continues. Despite that we are COVID-free, we are zero COVID-19, we are still careful,” he said.
The mayor said the Department of Health (DOH) has already inspected the schools and they have been completing the requirements.
He said one of the schools chosen for face-to-face classes is currently being used as a vaccination site.
“That is why it is not easy to adjust and prepare these schools for face-to-face classes,” added Ponce.
As of Dec. 7, the Pateros municipal government recorded zero new COVID-19 cases and zero active cases in the municipality.
In its new memo, the DepEd instructed all public and private schools all over the country to prepare for face-to-face classes which will start “early 2022.”
They are ordered to set up physical structures, washing facilities and supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE), health and safety protocols, learning materials, and class programs.
Schools are also ordered to coordinate with local government units for the immediate vaccination of teachers, school personnel, eligible students, and their household members.