For the first time in almost two years, the Philippines will reopen in-person classes on Monday, November 15, even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
The Department of Education (DepEd) has so far approved 100 public schools that will take part in the pilot run of limited face-to-face classes starting November 15. These schools are from areas that are deemed low-risk for COVID-19 by the Department of Health.
It was a momentous day for young schoolchildren since Philippine pandemic restrictions kept minors locked up for almost two years and adapted to distance learning. The country only recently began vaccinating minors against COVID-19, but only those aged 12 to 17 with co-morbidities.
With careful planning by the Department of Education (DepEd), new normal schooling looked just like we’d expect it to during a pandemic. Kids could not simply run to their classrooms and embrace their friends. Students wore masks and an ID with a QR code for contact tracing, and got their temperature checked. They washed their hands before entering their classrooms, and also had to keep their distance from their classmates.
Twenty private schools will start face-to-face classes beginning November 22, the DepEd said. President Rodrigo Duterte has given the go signal to allow more schools to join the pilot run. Bookmark and refresh this page for real-time news, photos, videos, and context of the pilot run of limited face-to-face classes in the Philippines.
While the Department of Education (DepEd) recognized the support and cooperation by various stakeholders as it started the pilot implementation of limited face-to-face classes this week. “Kitang-kita na ang paghahanda ay hindi gawain ng isang tao lamang kundi yung buong (We can see that the preparation is not the work of just one person but the entire) DepEd has been involved in this pilot implementation,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.
Moreover, the schools have procured health-related materials, using the downloaded support funds from DepEd and program support funds for Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd) and other sources. For the physical preparations, the schools assured the availability of functional wash areas and a designated area for triage.
