The Department of Education (DepEd) is expected to release by next week the final list of public schools that will participate in the pilot run of the limited face-to-face (F-to-F) classes.
The DepEd made the announcement on Wednesday as it released a list of some 100 public schools included in the pilot program scheduled to start November 15, 2021.
In a virtual interview with PTV, Education Assistant Secretary Malcolm Garma also disclosed they are still finalizing the list of some 20 other private schools, which will would likely participate in the pilot run.
Currently, he said, there are 57 private schools that are undergoing evaluation to qualify for the slots.
“By November 12, we will know…which of the 20 private schools will be selected based from the evaluation,” Garma said.
The F-to-F for private schools is scheduled to start on November 22, 2021.
Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said they are now considering further increasing the number of participating schools amid declining Covid infection and high vaccination rates in the National Capital Region (NCR).
She noted this could allow more schools in the region to participate in the pilot.
“We will write a report to the President if the 100 [public] schools could be increased further due to the good news, which are now appearing,” Magtolis-Briones said referring to how health officials noted there is now a lower risk of Covid infection in NCR compared to previous months.
Image courtesy of Patrick Roque