THE DEPARTMENT of Education said two private schools did not participate in Monday’s rollout of limited face-to-face classes owing to issues with their academic calendar.

DepEd said that the Singapore School Clark and Xavier University Senior High School  postponed the start of physical classes.

At least 20 private schools nationwide were chosen by DepEd to hold the limited face-to-face classes. Of this number, two schools are from Region 1; three schools each from Region 3, 4 and 7; four private schools in Region 9; and five schools in Region 11.

In Region 11, 64 learners from Kindergarten to Grade 3 of the Midsayap Montessori Center in Cotabato province joined the pilot run on Monday.

In Iloilo province, only 60 students from Grade 1 to Grade 3 attended in-person classes.

The pilot run of limited in-person classes in public schools started on November 15. However, only 97 schools participated because three schools in Zambales province deferred the holding of face-to-face classes after some teachers tested positive for Covid19.

The government hopes to expand the program next year to include more schools.