AT LEAST 456 schools in Central Visayas will participate in the expanded phase of limited face-to-face classes starting February 21, an education official said.

Department of Education-7 Director Salustiano Jimenez said that 441 public schools and 15 private schools will join the rollout of physical classes.

“Schools that will participate in the expanded face-to-face classes on Monday need to secure a safety seal from DepEd-7, ensure coordination with the agency and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases with regard to the imposition of the minimum health protocols at the campuses,” Jimenez said.

He gave assurances that the gradual reopening of schools in the region will be safe as 91 percent of teaching and non-teaching personnel are fully vaccinated against Covid19.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones earlier said that giving Covid19 jabs to kids is crucial in the implementation of in-person learning. She encouraged DepEd personnel to support the vaccination drive and disseminate information to increase the confidence in immunization among children.

Under the guidelines issued by DepEd, expansion schools should be in areas under Alert Levels 1 and 2; must have the concurrence of their respective local government units; and learners should have the permission of their parents or guardians.