To support the implementation of face-to-face classes and strengthen efforts related to the prevention of Covid-19 and other infectious diseases, the Department of Education (DepEd) has issued updated guidelines on health and safety protocols in schools amid the pandemic.

“Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, DepEd has released various issuances to guide schools and offices on ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of personnel and learners, especially in the context of the resumption of face-to-face classes amid the pandemic,” Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte said in a DepEd Order No. 39 series of 2022.

The said issuances, she said, have always been based on the “guidelines provided by health authorities and the national government.”

DepEd’s latest issuance is the DepEd Order No. 34 s. of 2022 or the School Calendar and Activities for the School Year 2022-2023.

“Various issuances are available to schools,” DepEd said. However, some of the provisions of the said issuances are “no longer applicable or have been updated” based on the latest evidence of guidance from health authorities or the national government.

“With this, it is deemed necessary to provide the updated protocols and standards should be in place as schools implement face-to-face classes,” DepEd explained.

Duterte said that the latest updated guidance was also issued for teaching and non-teaching personnel and learners regarding Covid-19 vaccination and testing in the department and to reiterate the minimum public health standards (MPHS) and other related health protocols relative to their reporting for work or school beginning SY 2022-2023.

The latest guidelines also outlined DepEd’s efforts to promote Covid-19 vaccination as well as handling attendance records of personnel affected by matters related to Covid-19.

Duterte said that regional directors may strategize for the implementation and operationalization of these guidelines in their respective regions or the schools division offices (SDOs) in their jurisdictions, provided that such is within the provisions of DepEd’s latest issuance.

In the interest of public health, DepEd stressed that all public and private basic education schools and learning centers are “duly-bound to exercise due diligence and take precautionary measures to minimize exposure to risks associated with Covid-19 and support government efforts to contain the spread of the virus.”

Based on the guidelines, state and local universities and colleges offering basic education as well as private schools were also highly encouraged to adopt the health protocols in the said DepEd Order.

Duterte also noted that all other DepEd orders, memoranda, and related issuances, rules, regulations, and provisions that are “inconsistent” with the recently released guidelines are “repealed, rescinded, or modified” accordingly.

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