“Following the directive by [Education] Secretary [Leonor] Briones for regions to conduct the readiness assessment in all schools during the pilot implementation period, the regional directors have submitted a list of 6,686 schools nationwide that have passed the SSAT [school safety assessment tool], of which 6,586 are public schools and 100 are private schools. This list will progressively increase as the rest of the schools are able to address their respective SSAT gaps,” DepEd said in a statement.

It said that 304 public schools are located in areas under Alert Level 2. These include 118 schools in the National Capital Region, 12 in Batanes, 106 in Bulacan, 33 in Cavite, 21 in Rizal, 5 in Biliran and 9 in Southern Leyte.

“As of today, no face-to-face classes are ongoing because the schools are on their mid-year break for February 2-5 under School Year 2021-2022 Calendar. The Academic Quarter 3 is set to start on February 7, but certain divisions may start on a later date following the class suspensions during the Omicron surge and on account of Typhoon Odette in certain affected areas,” it added.

In the NCR, limited in-person classes in the first 28 schools that joined the pilot run will resume on February 9. Meanwhile, the schools included in the expansion will progressively start their classes from February 9 onwards.

In Batanes, 12 recommended schools are ready to join the expansion. The SDO Batanes said it is waiting for clearance from the local chief executives before it resumes face-to-face classes.

Meanwhile, 106 schools in four SDOs in Bulacan will start face-to-face classes on February 21, 2022.

In the provinces of Rizal and Cavite, 21  and 36 schools respectively are slated to participate in the expanded phase of the classes. Expanded face-to-face classes will start on February 14, in time for the start of the third quarter.

In Southern Leyte and Biliran City, SDOs that are under Alert Level 2, three schools of SDO Southern Leyte will start classes on February 7 while Maasin City (seven schools) and Biliran City (6 schools) will kick off on February 14.

“The rest of the Regions, as well as Divisions in the above Regions outside of those already under Alert Level 2, are continuing their preparations for the expanded phase of face-to-face classes in anticipation of improvement in the Covid alert level in their respective areas,” the agency said.