Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 3) —The Department of Education said Wednesday it is “all set” for the start of the pilot face-to-face classes which will begin on November 15.
One hundred public schools will take part in the program, as well as 20 private and some international schools.
“Nakuha natin ang consent ng local governments, nirequire din natin ang parents to give their written consent at kami naman sa Department of Education iniinspect namin ang mga napipiling eskwelahan na kailangan handa ang facilities, may social distancing, may gamot, malapit tayo sa mga health stations. At finally may risk assessment galing sa DOH… All set na tayo,” Education secretary Leonor Briones said at a briefing.
[Translation: We were able to get the consent of local governments, we also required parents to give their written consent, and we at the Department of Education will inspect chosen schools to see if they have the necessary facilities. And finally, there is a risk assessment by the DOH…we are all set.]
Briones said they have done all measures to ensure the safety of students.
“I don’t think any country in the world has put out such stringent and very, very strict requirements for face-to-face, particularly the consent of the parents,” she said.
One hundred public schools have already been approved for the program, but the 20 private schools will be identified by next week.
“Sa ngayon meron na pong 57 private schools that have been submitted for evaluation. Sa November 12 po natin malalaman…kung sino yung 20 private schools na mapipili batay sa ginagawang evaluation,” said assistant secretary Malcolm Garma at the same briefing.
[Translation: For now, there are 57 private schools that have been submitted by evaluation. We will know on November 12 which 20 schools will be chosen based on the evaluation.]
Earlier, the DepEd said the participating schools are from the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, and Caraga.
Briones added schools in Metro Manila could also be included in the program, however it would have to be done at a later time.
“Sa tingin ko by the second batch kasi nakapili na tayo ng 100 atsaka malaki ang aming tiwala sa advice ng Department of Health kasi yung risk assessment ang DOH ang gagawa niyan,” she said.
[Translation: I think by the second batch because we have already chosen 100 and we trust the advice of the Department of Health because they will do the risk assessment.]
