DepEd regional authorities in Eastern Visayas pointed out that communities near these pilot campuses have zero or few cases of Covid-19 and are classified as low-risk areas.
AT least 18 schools in the Eastern Visayas region have been included in the Department of Education’s (DepEd) list for its pilot of limited face-to-face classes.
The DepEd regional office on Tuesday (September 21) expressed optimism that face-to-face classes will push through in the region after President Rodrigo Duterte has given the go-signal to allow children to attend physical classes in selected sites. (See also: Digong OKs limited face-to-face classes; 120 schools under pilot implementation )
Of the 18 schools, five are in Samar province, three in Southern Leyte, four in Calbayog City in Samar, and six in Leyte province.
The DepEd office declined to name the specific towns and schools included on the list.
However, several parents have expressed apprehension on sending their children at a risky situation.
Meanwhile, some students would rather take the risk than continue to “suffer” with the current education system.
“Sige na lang po, kasi mahirap yung online classes tapos magastos sa load minsan mabagal pa ang internet. Dagdag pa sa gastos parang kulang pa nga kami ng natututunan,” a junior high school student said.
Low risk
DepEd regional information officer, Jasmin Calzita, on the other hand, pointed out that communities near these pilot campuses have zero or few cases of Covid-19 and are classified as low-risk areas.
Calzita added that these schools are also said to be ready to comply with minimum health standards for face-to-face learning.
“We are still waiting for final approval of our central office. These schools are located in minimal risk areas and supported by local government. Participating schools must have the written support and consent of parents of students who will participate in the pilot,” she said.
Making it work
Part of the agency’s operational guidelines on the pilot of face-to-face learning is provide health and safety standards in terms of personal protective equipment, sanitation, detection and referral, ventilation, contact tracing, quarantine, coordination, and contingency measures.
The guidelines include classes to be held with a combination of face-to-face and distance learning modalities for two months and four hours every week.
(With report from PNA)
Tags: #OpinYon8, #DepartmentOfEducation, #facetofaceclasses, #education, #Covid19