THE DEPARTMENT of Education has suspended face-to-face classes in Metro Manila because of the fresh surge in Covid19 cases.

The department said that the move was in compliance with the Inter-Agency Task Force’s decision to place the National Capital Region under Alert Level 3.

“In compliance with the recent memorandum of the IATF for the Alert Level 3 protocols and considering the notable increase of Covid cases in NCR, DepEd confirms that the pilot face-to-face classes for basic education are deferred until the alert level reverts to Level 2,” DepEd said.

Pilot face-to-face classes ended last December. DepEd officials were hopeful that the pilot program will be expanded this year to include more schools.

“Face-to-face classes in pilot schools in areas under Alert Levels 1 and 2 shall continue in the meantime that DepEd finalizes its report on the pilot face-to-face classes,” DepEd said.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority earlier announced that face-to-face classes in the National Capital Region will be suspended.

“Following the meeting between the Department of Education and Metro Manila mayors, face to face classes in schools holding such in Metro Manila are SUSPENDED starting tomorrow, January 3,” MMDA said in a statement.

Metro mayors and DepEd officials appealed to parents to make sure that their children stay at home amid the threat of rising infections.