500 kids in Central Visayas return to school for pilot week of face-to-face classes

CEBU, Philippines —  It’s all systems go for the return of limited face-to-face classes in 10 basic education schools in Cebu today, November 15, 2021, almost two years since students migrated to online or distance learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The eight in Cebu are among the 100 schools across the country located in areas with very few coronavirus cases.

Around 500 students – kindergarten to Grade 3 and senior high school – are expected to return to school.

Department of Education (DepEd)-7 Director Salustiano Jimenez said this number may still increase after parents assess the first week of implementation.

He said all teachers in Cebu involved in the return to face-to-face classes are vaccinated against COVID-19. Those who are not teaching physically have received, at least, the first dose.

“Ang mga mag-handle gyud og klase, nabakunahan na gyud tanan… ang katong di pa mu-handle og klase, at least naka-first dose na,” Jimenez said.

Eight public schools in Cebu are participating, including Basak Elementary School in Samboan, Mahanlud ES in Malabuyoc, Cabagdalan ES in Balamban, Luyongbaybay ES in Bantayan, Canang-Marcelo Luna National High School in Oslob, Busay NHS in Moalboal, Pilar NHS in Pilar, and Siocon ES in Bogo City.

Four other schools in Bogo City that were considered initially for the pilot implementation of physical classes were dropped from the list owing to the number of COVID cases in the barangays where they are situated.

The private schools are the Sisters of Mary’s Boystown in Minglanilla and SOM-Girlstown in Talisay City.

The Holy Infant Academy in Anda, Bohol also gave a go signal to participate.

The final list of private schools to be included in the face-to-face classes is expected to be released by November 22.

The schools in the pilot implementation of limited face-to-face classes will still implement blended learning with a limited number of students per class.

For kindergarten, only 12 students per class is allowed, 16 for grades 1 to 3, and 12 for Senior High School. Students will be required to sit one to two meters apart.

The pilot implementation will run for two months. Other levels are expected to be included in January 2022. — JMO  (FREEMAN)