THE DEPARTMENT of Education in Eastern Visayas said that at least 62 schools in the region are holding limited face-to-face classes.

DepEd Eastern Visayas Regional Information Officer Jasmin Calzita said that 11 schools resumed physical classes on November 15, nine on December 6, nine on February 7 and 33 on February 14.

“School openings in these campuses went smoothly with the support of the community, local government units, government agencies, and other stakeholders,” Calzita said.

“The parents and learners expressed their full support in the expansion of the limited face-to-face classes,” she added.

The DepEd has earlier listed around 434 schools in Eastern Visayas for the progressive expansion phase of onsite learning.

These schools include 143 in Eastern Samar, 85 in Calbayog City, 63 in Samar province, 46 in Tacloban City, 33 in Maasin City, 18 in Leyte province, 12 in Borongan City, 8 in Catbalogan, 7 in Ormoc City, 6 in Northern Samar, 6 in Biliran, and 4 in Baybay City.

Based on the “Interim Guidelines on the Expansion of Limited Face-to-Face Classes” issued by DepEd, expansion schools must pass the standards of the School Safety Assessment Tool.

The expansion schools should also be in areas under Alert Levels 1 and 2; obtain the concurrence of LGUs and written consent of participants’ parents; and coordinate with respective barangays for the implementation of limited physical classes.

Moreover, the department has authorized schools to include other grade levels in both public and private schools during this phase.