CEBU CITY — More than 500 schools in Region 7 have started holding limited face-to-face classes, the Department of Education-Central Visayas (DepEd 7) reported.

DepEd 7 Director Salustiano Jimenez said a total of 555 schools in Region 7 are already holding in-person classes.

Jimenez added that the number of schools holding in-person classes has been increasing.

In Cebu province alone, 108 schools start conducting face-to-face classes. In Bais City, 20 schools also started face-to-face sessions last March 7.

“The start of their face-to-face classes are progressive. They did not start altogether because we validated and checked how ready they are, especially after the typhoon,” Jimenez said.

“Had it not been for the typhoon, I think we would have more schools holding face-to-face classes now,” added Jimenez, stressing that most of those schools are public.

As of March 7, there were 15 private schools that have already started holding in-person classes.

Jimenez said more schools are expected to follow suit as DepEd 7 continues to accept applications.

“DepEd is validating all schools both private and public,” Jimenez said. Most of the schools holding in-person classes are in Cebu with more than 300 while at least 180 schools in Negros Oriental have also resumed holding face-to-face classes.

Schools in the country started holding ‘distance learning’ system where the medium of instruction through modules or online when the Covid-19 pandemic struck two years ago.