A total of 14 Grade 7 students of San Rafael National high School in San Jose del Monte City participate in the simulation of limited face-to-face classes. (Photo courtesy of DepEd CSJDM Broadcast Team)
The expansion of limited face to face classes in Central Luzon will be implemented in 109 participating schools in Bulacan on February 21, 2022.
These include 63 schools in Bulacan Province, 26 schools in the City of San Jose del Monte, 13 schools in Malolos City, and 7 schools in Meycauayan City.
The four Schools Division Offices in Bulacan are given the clearance to proceed with the conduct of in-person classes in basic education through Executive Order No. 5 s.2022 titled “An Order Adopting the Implementation of Alert Level 2 in the Province of Bulacan from 01 until 15 February 2022 and for other purposes” signed by Governor Daniel R. Fernando.
“DepEd Schools Division of Bulacan is very thankful for the utmost support of the local executives through the municipal mayors and barangay captains including our partner agencies, and important key stakeholders to the mass implementation of the expanded limited face to face classes in the province. most especially the Honorable Governor Daniel R. Fernando, who approved the pilot implementation of face-to-face or in-person classes for basic education as determined by DepEd as per Executive Order No. 05, s. 2022,” expressed Dr. Zenia Mostoles, Schools Division Superintendent of Bulacan.
The said SDOs have conducted continuous preparation for the implementation of face to face classes through the assessment, validation, inspection, and provision of technical assistance to the participating schools.
Dr. Norma Esteban, Schools Division Superintendent of Malolos City said the SDO Composite Team has been continuously preparing the seven schools for the safe return of their students for their face to face classes. In coordination with Mayor Bebong Gatchalian, she said that the said schools are ready for the implementation of in-person classes on February 21.
“The Schools Division of City of San Jose Del Monte has conducted validation of all schools ready for the mass implementation of limited face-to-face classes on 21 February. The Local Chief Executive, City Government Officials, private schools, parents and learners were given information and updates regarding preparations of the validated schools through coordination meetings and Interaksyon San Joseño series. The Interaksyon served as a platform for all stakeholders to clarify issues and concerns regarding the mass implementation of limited face-to-face classes in the City,” said Dr. Merlina Cruz, Schools Division Superintendent of City of San Jose del Monte.
Dr. Carolina Violeta, Schools Division Superintendent of Meycauayan City, said the City Government of Meycauayan assured that they will support all the initiatives of the SDO and Schools for the smooth implementation of face to face learning modality.
DepEd issues interim guidelines on the expansion of limited face to face classes
In a statement released on February 2, Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones has authorized all regional directors to commence the progressive expansion phase of face-to-face classes for both public and private schools. The Regional Directors shall ensure that expansion schools have been validated as compliant with the standards of School Safety Assessment Tool (SSAT) and schools must be located in areas under alert levels 1 and 2 based on the periodic risk assessment by the Department of Health.
In addition, schools may already include other grade levels based on the capacity of schools and must have secured the concurrence of the Local Chief Executive in the City or Municipality where the expansion school is located, and the schools must also have taken the proper coordination with their respective barangay officials.
It shall be ensured as well that students participating in the face-to-face classes must have the written consent of their parents.
DepEd RO III also continues to provide guidance and technical assistance to 581 schools in other provinces assessed ready to conduct limited F2F classes once ideal conditions are met.
