THE DEPARTMENT of Education is expected to release next week the list of schools participating in the pilot run of face-to-face classes in basic education.

Education Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan said the department will first inform the regional directors about the identified schools before releasing it to the public.

“Hinihintay lang natin na unang maipaalam ang mga schools sa ating mga regional directors para

magkaroon sila ng pagkakataon na magbigay ng feedback sa mga piniling schools. Ganoon din sa kanilang mga clarifications para maliwanagan sila,” Malaluan said in a media briefing over the weekend.

“Kung maaari paki antabayanan lang (ang list of schools) some time next week. Gusto lang natin magkaroon ng pagkakataon ang mgaregional directors natin na makakuha ng briefing mula sa DOH sa naging proseso at konsiderasyon for the final choice of schools,” he added.

Nepomuceno clarified students will not immediately attend physical classes after identifying the list of schools next week.

He maintained the involvement of learners in the F2F modality will be voluntary, with a letter of consent from the parents.

DepEd earlier said 638 public schools were recommended by DepEd regional directors after passing the eligibility criteria to conduct limited in-person classes.

Based on the guidelines for the pilot implementation, 95 public elementary schools, 5 senior high schools, and 20 private schools will take part in the program.