DAGUPAN CITY -- The Department of Education (DepEd) in Region 1 said that 77 public schools in the region have started to participate in the expanded phase of face-to-face classes on Monday, Feb. 21.
In a virtual press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 22, DepEd Region Policy Planning and Research Division Officer Pedro Jose Cudal said the 77 schools are in addition to the 20 basic education institutions that piloted the in-person classes in the region last year.
He said the additional schools under the expanded phase were validated as compliant with the standards of the school safety assessment tool under Alert Levels 1 and 2.
Out of the 77 schools, 39 are from Pangasinan -- 19 public basic education institutions from Alaminos City and 10 schools each from San Carlos City and Urdaneta City.
He added that 13 schools are from Batac City Schools Division Office, 19 from Ilocos Norte, five from Laoag City Schools Division Office, and one school from Vigan City Schools Division Office.
The participating students are Kindergarten to Grade 12.