Six public schools in Binangonan, Rizal ready to start limited face to face classes on Feb. 21

Limited face-to-face classes will be held in six public elementary schools in Binangonan, Rizal starting Monday, Feb. 21, bringing the total number of public schools that have passed the assessment mechanism of the Department of Education (DepEd) to seven.

Nicanor Macarulay, one of the DepEd Binangonan’s district supervisors, told Manila Bulletin that six public elementary schools in Binangonan will be opening its doors to students for the limited face-to-face classes on Monday.

The participating schools include Ithan Elementary School, Limbon-Limbon Elementary School, Kalinawan Elementary School, Macamot Elementary School, Mahabang Parang Elementary School, and Pinagdilawan Elementary School.

Macarulay said Malakaban Elementary School situated in Talim Island began face-to-face classes on Dec. 2021.

There are now seven schools that have been granted approval by the DepEd to hold the face to face classes after passing the School Safety Assessment Tool (SSAT).

In Mahabang Parang Elementary School (MPES), Principal Rhea Anne Mercado told Manila Bulletin that the schools and the 83 pupils from Kindergarten to Grade 3 who volunteered to be part of the in-school classes are ready for Monday’s classroom sessions.

On Friday, Feb. 18, Manila Bulletin personally witnessed the simulation of classes for the face to face set-up at MPES.

The pupils and their respective guardian or parents were required to undergo proper sanitation procedures upon entering the gate of the school.

After the temperature check at the gate, the students will then show the QR Code found at the reverse side of their ID before he or she is allowed entry by the school staff.

Arrows on the floor also serve as a guide for the pupils to follow while they are inside the campus.

Mercado said each grade level is divided into Class A and Class B with 10 to 12 students per class per room.

Each class will attend the face-to-face classes for one week from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. everyday, while the other class will be on a modular mode for one week alternately.

Both Macarulay and Mercado said the municipal government of Binangonan has been extending its assistance to the schools by donating school equipment, and constructing school facilities.

“The all-out support of Mayor Cesar Ynares is very evident from the improvement of schools’ facilities, provisions of disinfection materials, hygiene kits for learners and his moral support to Binangonan School heads, teachers and parents, contributed a lot in the readiness and preparation of the schools, “ Macarulay said

Mercado, meanwhile, said the MPES still welcomes donations from private individuals and entities as the number of students who will attend in-person classes is expected to increase soon.

Just like the students and teachers who are excited to attend the face-to-face classes, some parents are eager to see their kids back in school.

Mary Anne Pabalate, mother of grade 3 pupil Ysabella, shared her eagerness for her daughter to participate in the simulation of classes.

“Naging challenging po sa anak ko at sa akin bilang magulang ang modular learning kaya mas maganda po na magbabalik na ang mga bata sa school (The modular learning was challenging for my child and I as a parent, so it is best that the kids will again be going back to school), “ Pabalate said.