THE SCHOOLS identified to participate in limited face-to-face classes are ready, the Department of Education said.

“All set na for November 15. Nabuo na natin ‘yong 100 public schools at binubuo na ngayon ang 20 private schools. Nakuha natin ang consent ng local governments. Ni-require din natin na ang mga parents ay dapat magbigay ng kanilang written consent,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said during the Laging Handa public briefing on Thursday.

Based on the latest information by the DepEd’s Field Operations strand, there will be 10 participating schools from Ilocos Region, 10 from Central Luzon, five from CALABARZON, and nine from Bicol Region.

Meanwhile, three public schools from Western Visayas will participate in the pilot implementation, eight from Central Visayas, and 10 schools from Eastern Visayas.

The Zamboanga Peninsula, on the other hand, will be represented by eight public schools, 10 from Northern Mindanao, eight from Davao Region, five from SOCCSKSARGEN, and 14 from CARAGA.

Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan is personally overseeing preparations on the ground, Briones said.

She assured the public that the Department, with the help of local government units, national government agencies, and local stakeholders will be strict on enforcing health and safety measures set for the pilot.

“Ini-inspect namin ang mga napipiling eskwelahan na kailangang handa ang facilities, masisiguro ang social distancing, mayroong tubig at gamot, at malapit sa health stations,” Briones said.

She added that there’s a high vaccination rate in schools nationwide, including teaching and non-teaching personnel in participating schools.