THE DEPARTMENT of Education said on Monday that 90 schools have been allowed to participate in the pilot run of limited face-to-face classes starting November 15.

“Nag-umpisa tayo na 1,900 schools na qualified tapos na-reduce to 600. Ni-review ng DOH. Nag-clear sila ng 329 schools. As of now, iyong objective natin na maka-reach ng 100 public schools ay 90 na ang ating na-identify,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said during the Malacañang press briefing.

She said that these schools include 10 in the Ilocos region, 10 in Central Luzon, 5 in Calabarzon, 3 in the Bicol region, 3 in Western Visayas, 8 in Central Visayas, 10 in Eastern Visayas, 8 in Zamboanga Peninsula, 6 in Northern Mindanao, 8 in Davao, 5 in Soccsksargen and 14 in Caraga.

Briones explained that some schools were removed from the list because their local government units changed their Covid19-risk level, while some did not pass the DepEd’s school safety assessment.

Before a school can join the pilot run, at least three conditions should be met — approval of the LGU, retrofitting of school facilities and provision of written consent from parents of children who will be part of the F2F classes.

“Ang mga pag-aaral sa buong mundo at saka dito sa Pilipinas ay nagpapakita na ang mga kabataan ay mas malaki ang resistance at resiliency sa Covid19. But they can also be carriers kaya todo ingat ang ginagawa natin,” Briones stressed.

About 93.2 percent of teaching and non-teaching personnel in the 90 selected schools have been vaccinated against Covid19.