THE DEPARTMENT of Education said that 1,732 students participated in the pilot implementation of limited face-to-face classes in private schools.

DepEd Bureau of Curriculum Development Director Jocelyn Andaya said 555 learners from Kindergarten to Grade 3 and about 1,177 Senior High School learners attended the limited in- person classes.

“Tinanong ko sila kung bakit pumayag pumasok, sabi ng K-3, sabik na silang makasama ang kanilang mga kaklase at guro. Sa Senior High School naman, gusto nilang mas matuto pa mula sa kanilang mga guro,” Andaya said.

Andaya visited two private schools and noted that students had to be reminded to wear face masks and observe social distancing all the time.

She added continuous monitoring must be done to ensure that all protocols are observed.

“Makakakalap po tayo ng mas maraming datos after the first week of implementation,” the DepEd official said.

So far, Andaya said 218 teachers and 157 non-teaching personnel in private schools reported for the trial run on Monday.

On Monday, only 18 out of 20 private schools resumed onsite learning.

Singapore School Clark in Mabalacat, Pampanga and Xavier University Senior High School in Cagayan de Oro postponed their class opening because their academic calendars would start in January 2022.