DepEd eyes expansion of face-to-face classes in February for vaxxed personnel, students

by Merlina Hernando-Malipot, Manila Bulletin

The expansion phase of limited face-to-face classes eyed to start in the first week of February will only include vaccinated participants, the Department of Education (DepEd) said.

During President Duterte’s Talk to the People aired on Monday, Jan. 17, Education Secretary Leonor Briones gave updates on the pilot run of limited face-to-face classes and its possible expansion by next month.

Briones reported to the President that the pilot run of face-to-face classes held from Nov. 15 to Dec. 22 had been “highly successful” given the “high level of attendance” among students.

A total of 287 schools and 15,000 learners participated in the pilot run. Briones said that there were “no confirmed” coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases among the participants during the pilot implementation.

Given the positive outcome of the pilot run, Briones said that the DepEd is recommending the “progressive expansion” of face-to-face classes in areas under Alert Levels 1 and 2.

“Expansion will commence not earlier than the first week of February,” Briones said.

During the expansion phase, the DepEd is recommending that only vaccinated teachers and non-teaching personnel be allowed to participate.

Briones added that the “participation of vaccinated students shall be preferred.”

She noted that the framework of shared responsibility that includes the concurrence of local government units (LGUs) and parents’ consent “will remain a requirement.”

However, Briones clarified that those schools under Alert Level 3 areas — such as the National Capital Region (NCR) and Region IV-A — will not be included in the expansion phase due to the surge in COVID-19 cases in these places.

35 stranded CTCSM students return home

... after 14-day quarantine

Davao de Oro-- After 14-day quarantine, 35 stranded students of Community Technical College of Southern Mindanao (CTCSM) in Maco, Davao de Oro finally returned to their respective hometowns and reunited with their families.

It can be recalled that the students were stuck for nearly two months within the campus while the province was placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to contain the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

The Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force (PIATF) of Davao de Oro facilitated the fetching of the students last May 16, 2020.

Upon fetching, they immediately underwent health screening using the rapid diagnostic test to further check if the students were not manifesting flu-like symptoms linked to Covid-19. After being tested, they were referred to the BFP Building in the Provincial Capitol Complex for their 14-day quarantine commenced.

The students were given psychosocial activities from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) as a means not just to combat boredom and remedy for their homesickness but also enhancement for personality development, overall behavior and attitude in life.

Part also of their daily schedule which they helped plan and organized included “getting to know” activities, physical exercises, and film viewing. The students were also given spiritual session through the Provincial Spiritual Development and Values Restoration program (PSDVRP) to hear and pray for guidance and protection from the crisis.

The Provincial Health Office conducted daily medical check-up to monitor their health status. Safety measures were also observed by the team in providing their service. Meal plan including nutritious foods were also served by the Kusina ng Kalinga program to ensure that the basic needs of the stranded students under quarantine will be provided.

“Mapasalamaton mi sa lokal nga panggamhanan sa Davao de Oro sa panguna ni Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy inubanan sa DepEd, PHO, PSWDO ug uban pa kabahin sa pagtabang arun maka uli mi sa tagsa-tagsa namu ka pamilya”, their team leader said.

Prior to boarding, goods as well as school bags, grocery items, financial assistance, and medical certificates were given to each student as proof that they are tested negative from the virus after being quarantined.

“Daghang salamat sa inyung dakong kooperasyon sa mga aktibidadis nga gihatag sa inyuha sulod sa 14-day quarantine dinhi sa atuang probinsya nga part usab sa atuang health protocol batok sa COVID-19. Hinaot nga sa inyuhang pag-uli sa tagsa-tagsa ka mga panimalay malipayon mo nga makauban ang inyuhang pamilya”, Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy said as he personally bid goodbye to the students. (Rheafe Hortizano, PAO-ID Davao de Oro)