As they welcomed participating learners, teachers, and personnel in 100 public schools for the start of the pilot implementation of limited face-to-face classes on Monday, November 15, the Department of Education (DepEd) has expressed optimism that the Bayanihan spirit “will live on” to ensure the “safety” of involved stakeholders and the success of the pilot run amid the pandemic.
“We are thankful for everyone who supported this key phase in our safe return to school advocacy, from the planning stage since 2020 to this monumental day. We are grateful to the assistance of the Department of Health (DOH), the IATF, child health experts, local government units, international and local partners, school personnel, parents, and other stakeholders for reinforcing our shared responsibility framework in this critical undertaking,” the DepEd said in a statement shortly before the start of the pilot face-to-face classes.
The DepEd said that they are happy to see the learners inside the classrooms again, recognizing as the significance of face-to-face learning for the social development of the students.
In the coming weeks, the DepEd said that more learners in public and private schools will follow suit the President Rodrigo R. Duterte approved to increase the number of pilot participants.
“In this line, we appeal to the public to always follow the required health protocols and standards. With everyone’s help in improving our country’s Covid-19 situation, our vision to safely reopen more schools nationwide is not a far reality,” the DepEd said.
Image courtesy of Bernard Testa/BM