MORE public and private schools in Bicol region are ready to join the expanded phase of limited face-to-face classes starting this month, an education official said.

Department of Education-5 Regional Director Gilbert Sadsad said there are 986 public schools and 43 private schools allowed to hold onsite learning.

Sadsad noted that all expansion schools passed the School Safety Assessment Test and complied with the interim guidelines set by the DepEd central office.

“The Schools Division Office of Camarines Sur has the largest number of participating schools for the expansion with a total of 366 schools, followed by SDO Camarines Norte with 258 schools, SDO Masbate Province with 156 schools, SDO Catanduanes with 87 schools, SDO Sorsogon Province with 44 schools, SDO Sorsogon City with 39 schools, SDO Ligao City with 15 schools, SDO Masbate City with 11 schools, Albay with 4 schools, and Naga City with 3 schools,” Sadsad said.

“A total number of 43 private schools were given permission for the said scheme consisted of 18 schools from Camarines Norte, 8 schools from Sorsogon City, 7 schools in Camarines Sur, 7 schools in Catanduanes, 3 schools from Masbate, 2 from Ligao City, and 1 from Masbate City and Naga City,” he added.

Sadsad said some teachers conducted dry runs and orientation and meetings with parents, local government units and other stakeholders on the operational dynamics and interplay between distance learning and F2F classes.

Other schools also held Brigada Eskwela to prepare the school facilities for the safe re-opening of classes.