No COVID-19 cases have been reported in schools participating in limited face-to-face classes so far, according to an official from the Department of Education (DepED).
Public schools reopened for blended in-person classes in November 15, while private schools followed a week after.
Roger Masapol, DepEd director for planning, said that they have been receiving weekly reports from participating schools since the reopening of classes.
"Masaya po kaming ibalita na so far po after two weeks wala pa po tayong nareport na COVID case sa mga schools natin," he told DZRH in an interview, adding that this includes participating teachers and students.
(We are happy to report that so far after two weeks we have not reported a COVID case in our schools.)
Meanwhile, in-person classes for 28 public schools in the National Capital Region (NCR) will begin on December 6, with the schools chosen based on the recommendation of the department's superintendents, regions, and concurrence of the local government units.
"Lahat po ng city satin dito sa NCR ay mayroon pong isa or dalawang public school na mag-start po," Masapol said.
(All cities in NCR will have one or two public schools participating for the launching of in-person classes.)
According to the director, class size has been reduced for different grade levels. Students in kindergarten were cut down to 12 from 25, for those in first to third grades, population was reduced to 16 from 30 to 35.
For high school students, only 20 students are allowed in a classroom setting, while only 12 students are allowed in a laboratory setup.
Only students whose parents signed the consent forms are allowed to participate in face-to-face classes. The department's study on the new scheme will last only for two months, said Masapol, but the setup will continue for as long as cases do not go up.
"Kung hindi magbabago 'yung ating COVID cases at patuloy na bumababa ay tuloy-tuloy na po hanggang sa phase 2, hanggang sa phase 3 ng ating implementation, which is transitioning to new normal," he said.
(If our COVID cases continue to decline then we can continue this until phase 2, then phase 3 of our implementation, which is transitioning to new normal.)
