AT LEAST 27 schools in Kidapawan City in North Cotabato will join in the expanded phase of limited face-to-face classes starting next month, Mayor Joseph Evangelista said.

The schools are 100 percent ready after passing the School Safety Assessment Tool and other requirements set by the Department of Education.

“Ito na ang tamang panahon upang makabalik ang mga mag-aaral at mga guro sa paaralan. Tayo ay nasa Alert Level 2 na at patuloy na bumababa ang Covid19 cases sa lungsod,” Evangelista said.

“Mataas din ang ating vaccination rate kaya tuloy tayo sa Road to Recovery,” he added.

The elementary schools to conduct physical classes are the Upper Singao ES, Datu Saliman ES, RBA Sabulao, F. Suerte, Kidapawan City Pilot ES, Nuangan ES, Malinan ES, Amas CES, Gayola ES, Onica ES, Patadon ES, San Roques ES, Katipunan ES, Amazion ES, Mateo ES, Kalasuyan ES, Lanao CES and Singao Integrated School.

Also included are nine secondary schools — Amas National High School, Juan L. Gantuangco National High School, Spottswood National High School, Kalaisan National High School, Saniel National High School, Manongol National High School, Ginatilan National High School, Mt. Apo National High School-Balabag Ext. and Mt. Apo National High School.

Evangelista said that “no collection policy” will be strictly imposed during the holding of in-person classes since the city government has released a P5.3-million subsidy from the Special Education Fund.

The mayor said that they will assign 10 individuals to each school to assist teachers and be paid under the “Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged at Displaced Workers” of the Department of Labor and Employment.

“Inaasahang magbubukas din para sa extended limited face-to-face classes ang karagdagang 40 schools bago matapos ang buwan ng Marso 2022,” he said.