DepEd examines 'limited' face-to-face classes in select areas

On Thursday, the Department of Education (DepEd) said that it is looking at the possibility of allowing limited face-to-face classes in areas with low-risk of COVID-19 transmission.

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Education Secretary Leonor Briones said the review came after the department received several proposals calling for the resumption of face-to-face classes in select areas. They are noting that in other Southeast Asian countries, they adopted a blended-learning system while keeping their face-to-face classes to a minimum.

President Rodrigo Duterte was already informed of the proposal, Briones said.

If face to face classes be allowed in select areas, it would only be limited to around 1 or 2 days of meetings said the education chief.

Areas that will be allowed to hold limited physical classes should also be inspected by the government's inter-agency task force (IATF) on pandemic response.

And if an area pass IATF inspection, Briones said the DepEd would still check if schools have enough resources for the safe conduct of face-to-face classes such as enough lavatories for handwashing, and enough space to implement physical distancing.

Briones' proposal is supported by Comission on Higher Eduaction Chairman J. Prospero de Vera III and also cited an example in Thailand where plastic and dividers were placed in classrooms to contribute in physical distancing during face-to-face classes. He said that Philippines could also adapt such measures.

DepEd was reminded by Carlito Galvez Jr., National Task Force Covid-19 chief implementer, to first check arrangements and proper implementation of minimum health standards in a school before permitting limited face-to-face classes.