THE DEPARTMENT of Education’s Schools Division in Ilocos Norte is gearing up to ensure that all schools are prepared for the possible resumption of face-to-face classes.

George Emman Manuel, Disaster Risk and Reduction Management officer of the province, said they are conducting an audit to ensure schools’ readiness once the government allows students to return to the classrooms.

“We will start to visit schools using our monitoring tool and if there are lacking, then these must be addressed to ensure the safety and well-being of learners,” Manuel said.

Since the start of the pandemic, SDOIN Superintendent Joan Corpuz has issued a directive to all primary and secondary schools in the province to ensure and maintain cleanliness.

Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc said that most parents and teachers in the province are in favor of holding face-to-face classes particularly in areas with no Covid19 cases.

“We will continue to try to provide the best quality education to our kids while ensuring the safety of all. We believe there is a way to do both,” Manotoc said on Facebook.

An online survey conducted by the SDOIN earlier showed that only 14 percent of the parents and 24 percent of teachers in the province were against face-to-face classes.

The governor pushed for the resumption of face-to-face classes in low-risk areas, noting that distance learning has taken a toll not just on students, but also on adults supervising the new mode of education.