THE DEPARTMENT of Education in Region 7 vowed that students’ safety will be the top priority once face-to-face classes resume in the region.

DepEd-7 Regional Director Salustiano Jimenez said that the announcement of pilot face-to-face classes in low risk areas is a “welcome development.”

Jimenez said his office is waiting for the list of authorized schools that will implement the program as well as directions from Education Secretary Leonor Briones.

DepEd-7 submitted 52 candidate schools across the Central Visayas region for the  face-to-face pilot testing.

It also submitted a proposal on how the classes under the new normal will be conducted in the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.

Palace Spokesman Harry Roque announced on Monday that President Rodrigo Duterte has allowed the conduct of limited in-school classes in 120 public and private schools in areas deemed low-risk for Covid19.