MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has given the green light to pilot testing of face-to-face classes in areas considered as “low risk” for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from Jan. 11 to 23, 2021.
Palace spokesperson Harry Roque saidss the dry run, which was approved during Monday’s Cabinet meeting, will be monitored by the Department of Education (DepEd) and the COVID-19 National Task Force.
Roque added that the last week of January will be devoted to the submission of reports regarding the outcome of the face-to-face classes followed by an evaluation for the final recommendation to the country’s chief executive.
Based on the timeline provided by the DepEd, regional directors will have to submit a list of nominated schools to Education Secretary Leonor Briones on or before Dec. 18.
Briones will then choose the pilot schools on Dec. 28 to be followed by orientation, mobilization and readiness confirmation of these schools.
However, Roque said face-to-face classes in schools will not be compulsory, but rather voluntary on the part of the learners/parents. Likewise, parent’s permits are needed for the students to participate.
“Ito po ay walang pilitan at may approval ng mga magulang,” Roque said during his virtual presser on Tuesday.
Remote classes started on Oct. 5, several weeks later than the initially planned Aug. 24, to give teachers and students more time to prepare for online and modular distance learning.
Lessons this school year resumed under blended learning which involves a mix of internet-based sessions, radio and TV broadcasts and printed self-learning modules. Classes in other levels are also mostly held online./PN
