THREE out of 10 public schools in Zambales participating in the pilot run of face-to-face classes postponed opening yesterday after some of their teachers tested positive for COVID-19.
They are the San Marcelino National High School and Baliwet Elementary School, both located in the municipality of San Marcelino, and Banawen Elementary School l in the municipality of San Felipe, according to the Department of Education. Last Sunday, teachers at the three schools underwent COVID-19 antigen tests.
Seven other schools in the municipality of Botolan started classes after all 61 teachers tested negative and all preparatory requirements were complied with.
Aside from this slight hiccup, the opening of face-to-face classes in 11 regions nationwide for the first time since March 2020 went on smoothly, with the DepEd welcoming the participating students, teachers, and personnel.
The DepEd said 5,245 students nationwide participated in the “opening” of face-to-face classes.
Last September 20, President Duterte approved the pilot run of limited face-to-face classes in areas with low COVID cases upon the recommendation of the DepEd, which initially said the pilot testing will involve 100 public and 20 private schools.
“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,” DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said in a statement.
Briones said the agency is grateful for the assistance of the Department of Health, Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, child health experts, local government units, international and local partners, school personnel, parents, and other stakeholders for reinforcing the shared responsibility framework in the critical undertaking.
“As we take a huge step of reintroducing face-to-face classes amidst the public health situation, we are optimistic that our Bayanihan spirit will live on to ensure the safety of involved stakeholders and the success of this pilot run,” she said.
“In the coming weeks, more learners in public and private schools will follow suit as the President approved to increase the number of pilot participants,” she added.
The agency will conduct a press conference today, Tuesday, for an assessment and updates from the regions participating in the pilot run.
The agency also confirmed the presence of uniformed police armed with firearms inside one of the pilot schools, which was not identified.
