As qualified schools implement the expansion phase of limited face-to-face classes, the Department of Education (DepEd) said that it continues to coordinate with the Department of Health (DOH) on the public health aspects of the program.

In a “Laging Handa” public briefing on Tuesday, Feb. 11, DepEd Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan explained that during the pilot study of limited face-to-face classes, the insufficient time for teaching and learning was raised by teachers and learners.

“Doon sa feedback natin doon sa pilot implementation, doon sa ating mga surveys na ginawa ay isa iyan sa mga nabanggit iyong kakulangan ng oras na inilaan dahil nilimitahan natin ito to three hours for kindergarten and four hours for the higher grade levels (In the feedback we received in the pilot implementation, in the surveys that was done, the lack of time allotted was mentioned because we limited it to three hours for kindergarten and four hours for the higher grade levels),” Malaluan explained.

Malaluan explained that in the interim guidelines issued by Education Secretary Leonor Briones on the expansion phase of limited face-to-face classes, expansion schools will be given flexibility in “contact time for teaching and learning, provided that meals are not taken in school except during managed recess.”

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2022/02/05/deped-to-add-more-time-for-teaching-learning-during-expanded-face-to-face-classes/

“Mostly, we still have a half-day schedule under the expansion phase since it is a progressive expansion, we will have to discuss this with the DOH),” Malaluan explained.

Malaluan explained that extending school hours beyond lunchtime is a major consideration during the expansion phase of limited face-to-face classes.

If children are allowed to have lunch at school, Malaluan said that “ will extend our canteens to the protocols during meals and it will also increase the risk assessment for the conduct.”

Given this, Malaluan said that extending the hours during face-to-face classes has to be “closely coordinated” with the DOH.

“It’s a public health aspect of the expansion phase and our standing arrangement with the DOH is that we are guided by the DOH concerning health standards,” he added.

In the first batch of the expansion phase, Malaluan said that participating learners only spend half-day per day during the week.

“They come to school not just once so we try to avoid them taking lunch breaks at schools to avoid exposure incidence within the school setting,” Malaluan explained.

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https://mb.com.ph/2022/02/09/face-to-face-classes-a-responsibility-of-3-main-agencies-briones-says/