By Ma. Teresa Montemayor/Philippine News Agency
Only 30 public schools will proceed with the pilot run of limited face-to-face classes set on November 15, the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Tuesday.
In an online media briefing, DepEd Assistant Secretary Malcolm Garma said the 30 schools have passed the DepEd’s school safety assessment.
On October 2, there were 59 schools that passed the assessment of the Department of Health Epidemiology Bureau and were tagged as minimal or low risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Garma explained that regional directors were instructed to conduct a “quick validation” of the 59 schools which were reduced to 30 schools for the two-month pilot run of limited in-person classes.
“Ang objective natin dito ay buuin ‘yung 100 na pampublikong paaralan (Our objective here is to complete the 100 public schools),” he said.
The 30 schools are Gutusan Elementary School (ES) in Masbate City; Mary B. Perpetua in Milagros; Sinalongan ES in Masbate City; Mayabay ES in Barbaza; Igsoro ES in Bugasong; Laserna Integrated School in Nabas, Aklan; Basak ES in Samboan; Mahanlud ES in Malabuyoc; Cabagdalan in Balamban; Luyongbaybay ES in Bantayan; Cañang-Marcelo Luna National High School (NHS) in Oslob; Busay NHS in Moalboal; Pilar NHS in Pilar; Siocon ES in Bogo City; Siloh ES in Siay; San Vicente ES in Payao; Manga NHS in Pagadian City (Capital); Manga ES; Lala ES; Sominot NHS Sominot (Don Mariano Marcos); Tabina ES, Tabina; Guipos NHS in Guipos; Dalama Central ES in Baroy; Babalaya ES in Bacolod; Napo ES in Linamon; Masibay IS in Nunungan; Tambacon IS in Magsaysay; Marcela T. Mabanta NHS in Kauswagan; North Cotabato; Paco NHS in Kidapawan City; and Bato ES in Makilala.
However, there are 46 schools that are appealing to the DepEd so they can participate in the pilot implementation of in-person classes.
“May mga LGU [local government unit] na humihiling na sana masama rin ‘yong kanilang lugar, mga eskuwelahan sa kanilang mga lugar (There were LGUs requesting for their areas, the schools in their areas to be included),” Garma said.
Meanwhile, DepEd Director for Planning Services Roger Masapol said international schools were also recommended to participate in the limited in-person classes, but their participation must be approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
In a memorandum released Monday, the agency said international schools “are required to submit their proposal on how they intend to implement face-to-face classes.”
Apart from this, they are to secure consent from their LGUs and the parents of their students prior the implementation of in-person classes.
“It was recommended, ia-allow silang mag-implement ng (they will be allowed to implement) face-to-face classes on top of the 120 [listed schools] but they shall take full responsibility,” Masapol said. (PNA)-rir
