​

November 12, 2021 – On Wednesday, the Department of Education (DepEd) formally listed the 100 public schools nationwide that will participate in the pilot implementation of the limited face-to-face classes starting November 15.

“All set na for November 15. Nabuo na natin ‘yong 100 public schools at binubuo na ngayon ang 20 private schools… Nakuha natin ang consent ng local governments. Ni-require din natin na ang mga parents ay dapat magbigay ng kanilang written consent,” DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said during the Laging Handa Public Briefing.

Based on the latest information by the DepEd’s Field Operations strand, there will be 10 participating schools from Ilocos Region, 10 from Central Luzon, five from CALABARZON, and nine from Bicol Region.

Meanwhile, three public schools from Western Visayas will participate in the pilot implementation, eight from Central Visayas, and 10 schools from Eastern Visayas.

The Zamboanga Peninsula, on the other hand, will be represented by eight public schools, 10 from Northern Mindanao, eight from Davao Region, five from SOCCSKSARGEN, and 14 from CARAGA.

Secretary Briones added that Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Nepomuceno Malaluan is personally overseeing preparations on the ground, two weeks before the start of the pilot stage.

Emphasizing the shared responsibility framework, Briones also assured the general public that the Department, with the help of local government units, national government agencies, and local stakeholders, will be strict on enforcing health and safety measures set for the pilot.

“Kami naman, for our part sa DepEd, ini-inspect namin ang mga napipiling eskwelahan na kailangang handa ang facilities, masisiguro ang social distancing, mayroong tubig at gamot, at malapit sa health stations,” Sec. Briones said.

In addition, Briones said that DepEd has high vaccination numbers of school staff nationwide, including those teaching and non-teaching personnel in participating schools.

“Very high ang vaccination status. Napakataas kasi summer pa, wala pa iyong approval ng President [for face-to-face], ay sinabihan na namin ang aming teachers na makikilahok sila,” she said.

DepEd Assistant Secretary for Field Operations and National Academy of Sports Malcolm Garma also reported that the final list for private schools is still in process, and 57 applicants are still under evaluation. The agency will release the official list for private schools on November 15.

END