AT LEAST 305 schools in Region 5 are being eyed for the implementation of pilot face-to-face classes once allowed by President Rodrigo Duterte, the Department of Education in Bicol said on Wednesday.

DepEd-5 regional director Gilbert Sadsad said they are waiting for the final approval of limited physical classes in areas deemed low risk for Covid19.

“We have conducted surveys and mapping out schools that would qualify as pilot areas. But we could not yet release the list of these schools,” Sadsad said.

Education Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan earlier said that only Kindergarten to Grade 3 students will be allowed to participate in physical classes.

Under the proposed guidelines, classes will last for three hours and only a limited number of students will be allowed inside classrooms.

A maximum of 12 students from Kindergarten, and not more than 16 learners in Grades 1 to 3 will be accommodated in a classroom to ensure physical distancing.

Classrooms should be well-ventilated and the use of air-conditioners will not be allowed.

The students must also be residing near the selected pilot schools so they would not need to travel.

Schools should have separate entrance and exits.