The Department of Education (DepEd) has approved the pilot run of limited face-to-face classes in selected schools in low risk areas, which will begin by the second academic quarter. The nominated schools were assessed by health officials and child experts before being allowed to take part.
The pilot run will last for around two months, from November 15, 2021 to January 31, 2022. Depending on the results of the pilot run, DepEd’s target is to expand limited face-to-face classes by March 7, 2022.
Guidelines
The Department of Health (DOH) and DepEd have collaborated to sign the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC), an outline to guide DepEd’s framework for the reopening of schools. Safe operations, teaching and learning, including the most marginalized, and wellbeing and protection are the four pillars on which JMC is focused.
Under “safe operations,” a maximum of 120 schools will be chosen for the trial: 95 elementary schools, 5 senior high schools, and 20 private schools. As of October 25, 90 public schools have already been confirmed out of the targeted 100 to hold limited face-to-face classes.
Under “teaching and learning,” the maximum class size will be 12 students for kinder, 16 for Grades 1 to 3, 20 for Grade 4 to senior high school (SHS), and 12 for SHS in TVL workshops or science laboratories. Blended learning approach will also be applied: alternating one week straight face-to-face and one week straight distance learning. All grade levels are allowed a maximum of 4.5 hours in school, except for kindergarten which are allowed a maximum of 3 hours. Group works that require close contact and large gatherings and activities are strictly prohibited.
Under “including the most marginalized,” students who are most vulnerable and disadvantaged in terms of access to learning will be recognized. This includes internally displaced persons (IDPs), children with disabilities, and indigent children.
Under “wellbeing and protection,” mental, emotional, and physical health will be prioritized and monitored. The school is required to screen vaccination records of children. Teachers and personnels that will be involved in the trial are required to be fully vaccinated. Parents of the participating learners will also have to sign a consent form; participation in the limited face-to-face classes is voluntary.
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