THE DEPARTMENT of Education is waiting for the approval of President Rodrigo Duterte to expand limited face-to-face classes by next year.

DepEd Assistant Secretary Malcolm Garma said the agency will consolidate the assessment of in-person classes and submit it to the President.

“Even if we have terminated or we have already ceased from the pilot component, those that already started with the pilot face- to-face (classes) will continue doing the limited face-to-face classes even by next year,” Garma said.

“The only question that remains at this point is if we will be allowed by the Office of the President to expand this to more schools by next year,” he added.

Garma said DepEd will complete and submit its report and recommendations to the President before the year ends and hopefully made a decision regarding the expansion by next year.

Students will return to school after its Christmas break on January 3.