CLASSES in 100 public schools, mostly in the Visayas and Mindanao, resume today in a test run that will last for two months, which will be used in determining whether face-to-face learning can be implemented amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
The Department of Education said it is ready for the test run and assured the safety of students, teachers, and parents, saying the participating schools have passed an evaluation conducted by the Department of Health.
Eleven regions are participating in the test run, led by Eastern Visayas which has 14 schools conducting face-to-face classes for the first time since March 2020
Ilocos, Central Luzon, Eastern Visayas, and Northern Mindanao have 10 schools each participating in the test run while Bicol, Central Visayas, and Davao Region have eight school each.
Five schools each in Calabarzon and Soccsksargen are participating while Western Visayas has three.
Last September 20, President Duterte approved the pilot run of limited face-to-face classes in areas with low COVID cases upon the recommendation of the DepEd, which initially said the pilot testing will involve 100 public and 20 private schools.
According to the step-by-step daily routine that participants in the test run need to undergo, students should take a bath and should bring alcohol, face mask and face shield issued by the school.
Students and their parents observe social distancing while on their way to school and inside the schools.
The DepEd said students will only undergo COVID testing if they have symptoms or have been exposed to persons infected with the deadly virus. — Noel Talacay
