More than 17,000 public and private schools have been nominated to conduct face-to-face classes as of March 28, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).
In its press release, the DepEd said 7,054 public and 425 private schools are ready to resume physical classes, adding that these schools are either fully compliant with the department’s School Safety Assessment Tool (SSAT) or compliant but with pending local government unit concurrence.
"We are optimistic with this upward trend on the number of schools already implementing classroom-based learning. With support from the Central and Regional Offices, we are keen on reintroducing physical classes to more localities in the country,” said Education Secretary Leonor Briones.
It added that at least 13,692 public and private schools or 78.3 % of the nominated schools are currently holding in-person classes.
Following the increasing number of schools holding in-person classes, Briones said the department will release policies related to the progressive expansion of onsite learning, including the updated SSAT.
“The SSAT will ensure that our schools are ready for the changes in managing face-to-face classes while guiding our field offices in the provision of logistical and technical assistance needed by schools,” Briones said.
However, Briones clarified that the SSAT is not the final determinant of participation in the face-to-face classes and is only meant to prepare schools and assess their readiness for their eventual reopening.
The limited face-to-face classes were pilot-tested last November 15, 2021.
