ABOUT 77 percent of elementary and secondary public schools in Cotabato Province have started holding face-to-face classes.

Charlie Antipolo, information officer of the Cotabato Schools Division Office, said the figure represents 459 basic and 142 secondary schools.

Antipolo said that schools were given instructions on how to reopen schools and the required number of chairs for each class.

“For the district level, we created composite teams to validate the safety and preparations of the school. Before the schools passed the standards, the safety and health standards were assessed to ensure that learners are safe in the implementation of the face-to-face classes,” he said.

Despite the resumption of in-person classes, Antipolo said the DepEd continues to use blended learning methods such as modular, online, radio, and television-based learning.

He praised teachers, parents, local government units and other stakeholders for working together to provide learners safe learning areas and quality education.