After completing the pilot run of limited face-to-face classes, the Department of Education (DepEd) expressed hope that more schools in basic education will be allowed to hold in-person sessions in 2022.

“Next year, we are hopeful to expand the number of schools that can implement face-to-face learning modality, subject to the approval of the President,” DepEd said in a statement issued Dec. 30.

“Utilizing the lessons from the pilot stage, we are eyeing to enhance our safeguards for our participating stakeholders while maintaining the framework of shared responsibility,” DepEd added.

For DepEd, one of its biggest strides this year is the reintroduction of face-to-face classes nearly after two years since children were not allowed to attend in-person sessions due to the threat of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

DepEd started the pilot implementation of limited face-to-face classes in public schools located in low risk areas on Nov. 15. “Weeks after, more qualified public and private schools followed suit,” the agency said.

The pilot run ended before the Christmas vacation of public school students started on Dec. 20.

For DepEd, the pilot study was “highly successful” since there were no recorded cases of COVID-19 infections among the participants.

As it plans for the further expansion of face-to-face classes next year, DepEd thanked the teachers, non-teaching personnel, and all education stakeholders for “another fruitful year” that marked the basic education’s road to recovery.

In the remaining months of Secretary Leonor Briones’ term, DepEd said it expects “nothing less but more challenges” in the coming year.

“But as we have witnessed and celebrated more stories of passion and ingenuity of our officials, dear teachers, staff, learners, and partners, we are confident that, as long as we are united, we can weather any storm that comes our way,” DepEd added.