THE DEPARTMENT of Education on Monday said that the pilot run of limited face-to-face classes in public and private schools will start on November 15 and 22, respectively.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones shared that they have been preparing for the resumption of physical classes even before President Rodrigo Duterte approved the implementation.

She gave assurances that DepEd is ready to hold in-person classes in 100 public schools and 20 private institutions.

“From the time the President issued his go signal, approval and conditions ay talagang naghahanda na (ang DepEd) since December 2020,” Briones said during the Malacañang press briefing.

“Lahat ginagawa natin para ma-ensure ang safety ng kabataan at saka ang teachers natin at ang staff,” she added.

As part of its preparation, DepEd has been constantly monitoring the safety assessment, number of schools identified by the Department of Health and the number of schools continuing with the pilot study.

The DepEd chief noted that they are working on the completion of 100 public schools from the 329 list, as well as the identification of 20 private schools that will be part of the pilot.

She said that proposals to allow international schools to reopen are being studied, adding that one IS already submitted an application to conduct in-person classes.

Briones reiterated that no learner shall be forced to attend face-to-face classes.