THE DEPARTMENT of Education on Friday said that  8,244 schools were nominated for inclusion in the progressive phase of limited face-to-face classes.

Of these, 7,893 are public schools and 208 are private schools. The DepEd said 143 schools are pending for validation.

These schools include 1,118 in Bicol, 1,115 in Zamboanga Peninsula, 977 in Eastern Visayas, 902 in Central Luzon, 827 in Calabarzon, 626 in Northern Mindanao, 511 in Ilocos, 341 in Cagayan Valley, 300 in Davao, 287 in BARMM, 273 in Western Visayas, 266 in National Capital Region, 236 in Soccsksargen, 207 in Central Visayas, 156 in Cordillera Administrative Region, and 102 in Mimaropa.

Garma said that 6,122 schools have resumed limited face-to-face classes as of March 10, 2022.

“Binigyan na po natin ng kalayaan o awtoridad ang ating mga regional directors at mga division superintendents na isagawa ang proseso ng pagpipili at pag-apruba ng mga paaralan na sa tingin nila ay handa na lumahok sa expanded phase ng limited F2F classes,” Education Assistant Secretary Malcom Garma said.

He said that the department is thoroughly assessing if these schools are compliant with the requirements.

Based on the “Interim Guidelines on the Expansion of Limited Face-to-Face Classes” issued by DepEd, expansion schools must pass the standards of the School Safety Assessment Tool.

These schools should be in areas under Alert Levels 1 and 2; have obtained the clearance of their respective local government units and written consent of parents.