A total of 26,344 schools in the Philippines are already conducting face-to-face classes, the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Tuesday, May 3.

DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones, in the Talk to the People public briefing, said that 25,668 public schools and 676 private schools in the country are now conducting in-person classes.

In relation to this, 5,948,640 learners in public schools, as well as 226,991 learners in private schools across all grade levels are now participating in face-to-face classes.

“At present we have 6,175,631 learners na nagfe-face to face. More than one half na and at the rate that learners are enrolling, especially in the private school, we are targeting if we can reach 75 percent (At present we have 6,175,631 learners who are participating in face-to-face classes. This is more than half, and at the rate that learners are enrolling, especially in the private school, we are targeting if we can reach 75 percent),” said Briones.

The challenge, however, is in the private schools. Briones noted that out of over 16,000 private schools, only 676 are conducting in-person classes.

“Walang problema sa public schools kasi the minute na ma-assess ang isang region o isang place na level 1 or 2, automatic ‘yan face-to-face kaagad. Pero ang sa private schools, of course, decision nila ‘yun. We are now aggressively endeavoring to convince them to open at this time (There is no problem in public schools because the minute a region or a place is assessed at level 1 or 2, face-to-face classes will be implemented immediately. But in private schools, of course, it will be their decision. We are now aggressively endeavoring to convince them to open at this time),” said Briones.

Meanwhile, Briones added that out of the 947,000 teachers and personnel in the country, 93 percent have already been fully vaccinated.