THE DEPARTMENT of Education in Ilocos said that at least 77 schools in the region are holding limited face-to-face classes.

DepEd Ilocos Regional Office Planning Officer Pedro Jose Cudal said that 32 schools resumed classes in Ilocos Norte, 39 in Pangasinan and 6 in Ilocos Sur.

These schools are in addition to the 20 that were included in the pilot implementation of physical classes in the region in November 2021.

“Some have already expanded their grade level coverage as before, the pilot areas for limited F2F only cover kindergarten to grade 3 but now, they may cover kindergarten to grade 12 depending on the school’s capacity,” Cudal said.

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 schools should also be in areas under Alert Levels 1 and 2; obtain the clearance from LGUs and written consent of parents; and coordinate with their respective barangay officials for the implementation of limited physical classes.

Regional Education Program Supervisor Johnson Sunga explained that several health and safety protocols will be followed.

“Only vaccinated teachers may participate while inoculated learners shall be preferred but not required,” Sunga said.

“Schools are given flexibility in contact time for teaching and learning provided that meals are not taken in school, particularly lunch, because in communal eating, they might converse except during managed recess when they can bring and eat their own food in their respective seats,” he added.