Teacher, pupils practice social distancing in F2F class. Photo by Ernie Esconde
HERMOSA, Bataan — Seven public elementary schools under the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Bataan of the Department of Education held limited face-to-face (F2F) classes for the second day Tuesday.
Ramon Perez, DepEd school governance operations division chief, said F2F classes started Monday in the Saba Elementary School in Hermosa and in two schools each in the towns of Mariveles, Orani, and Bagac.
Perez who was with a group of SDO–Bataan officials on inspection of different public elementary schools said one of the criteria set by DepEd for a school to open F2F classes was the absence of cases of the coronavirus disease in the community within 28 days.
“Possibly by next Monday, ang ibang school ay mag-open na rin,” Perez said.
Under SDO–Bataan are public primary and secondary schools in Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Orani, Samal, Abucay, Pilar, Orion, Limay, Mariveles, Bagac and Morong. Balanga City has a separate SDO.
Olivia Basi, principal of the Saba Elementary School, explained the strict implementation of safety and health protocols in the entrance of children to the school, to the classrooms, and until their departure.
F2F classes in Saba were held for kindergarten and Grades 1 to 3 children.
At the school entrance, children were required to submit health declaration cards where their temperatures were taken and hands disinfected with alcohol before proceeding to their respective classrooms.
Before entering the classrooms, the children have to hand wash in designated wash areas while observing social distancing. Each pupil is required to bring their own face towel.
Entrance and exit lanes to the classrooms were properly marked with paint on the floor for children to follow. Each school chair has the name of the pupil.
“No touch” is practiced inside the classrooms where children are given activity sheets that they accomplished and they themselves place in a special box.
Grade 3 teacher Adelia Mendoza said that under her regular class of 29 pupils, nine are presently under the F2F session with the number to be increased to 15 by next week while 14 to go on under the modular scheme.
Principal Basi said the number of children permitted to attend F2F classes are limited with a maximum of 12 for kindergarten and 16 for Grades 1 to 3.
“Sa pagpili namin ay pina-prioritize namin ang mga marginalized pupil na mga batang kinakailangan talaga ng patnubay at walang gumagabay na mga magulang sa kanilang pagsagot sa modules,” she said.
“Ganoon din ang mga bata na medyo mahina sa klase na binase namin sa assessment result at previous record nila sa kanilang dating grade at mga batang at risk sa pagbasa,” the principal said as how they selected the children who will attend F2F classes.
She said that before, parents were reluctant to let their children join F2F classes but now many are willing considering that many parents are already fully vaccinated. She said she was hopeful that F2F classes will continue smoothly.
Basi said the school has an isolation room and she has continuously advised children to inform their teacher if they do not feel well.
The classrooms are disinfected every day after classes held from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. from Monday to Friday.
The principal also appealed to Good Samaritans to help the school.
“Nananawagan din po kami sa mga gustong mag-share ng blessings dahil mahaba-haba pa ang labanan natin sa Covid-19. Ang aming school ay maliit lang ang pondo kaya kung sinoman ang mayroong ginintuang puso na handang mag-share sa aming paaralan ay welcome na welcome po kayo,” Basi said.
