The Department of Education (DepEd) is expecting more schools that offer basic education programs to reopen and implement face-to-face classes with the downgrading of coronavirus restrictions.
“Inaasahan namin na mas marami pang eskwelahan ang aming mabubuksan sa face-to-face (We expecting that we will be able to open more schools for face-to-face ,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said during a Laging Handa public briefing on Wednesday, March 2.
The National Capital Region (NCR), where huge numbers of schools and learners are located, has been placed under Alert Level 1 from March 1 to 15, 2022.
Briones noted that the progressive face-to-face classes, as part of blended learning, already started as early as February.
“We are already anticipating na lalong dadami ang mga schools na sasali dahil pagpasok ng NCR, malaking bulto ng eskwelahan iyan at saka mga other places, na halos ay ngayon ay nasa Levels 1 and 2 na (We are already anticipating that more and more schools will participate due to the inclusion of NCR --- which has a large volume of schools --- and other places which are almost now in Levels 1 and 2),” Briones said.
Based on the data provided by DepEd Assistant Secretary Malcolm Garma, 6,145 public schools are “ready to start” the implementation of the progressive expansion phase of the limited face-to-face classes as of Feb. 22, 2022.
Citing data from the submissions as of March 2, DepEd noted that the regions have reported a total of 4,239 public and 76 private schools that have already started the implementation of limited face-to-face classes as of March 1, with an overall total of 4,315 schools.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/02/deped-4372-public-private-schools-hold-face-to-face-classes/
Based on the same data provided by Garma, a total of 153 schools in NCR are holding face-to-face classes as of March 1.
Meanwhile, Briones expressed optimism that more schools will be joining the implementation of face-to-face classes.
“Mukhang wala kaming nakikitang reason na hindi i-implement pero yung actual format na pag-i-implement ng face-to-face ay depende sa sitwasyon sa respective schools (There seems to be no reason not to implement but the actual format of implementing face-to-face depends on the situation in the respective schools),” Briones said.
Given this, Briones said that DepEd has authorized the Regional Directors and Superintendents to decide on matters related to face-to-face classes depending on their respective situation.
While DepEd pushes for the gradual resumption of limited face-to-face classes, Briones clarified that Blended Learning remains the default learning delivery modality amid the pandemic.
Thus, schools are still expected to continue implementing distance learning modalities such as online, modular (printed and offline), and television or radio-based instruction to complement limited face-to-face classes.