Duterte OKs dry run of face-to-face classes in selected schools in low COVID-risk areas

December 14, 2020

By Celerina Monte

President Rodrigo Duterte approved on Monday to conduct a dry run of physical classes in areas with low cases of coronavirus disease.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the approval was made during the Cabinet meeting.

He said the President, along with the Cabinet members, gave his nod to "the presentation of the Department of Education to conduct pilot implementation or dry run of face-to-face classes in select schools within areas with low COVID-risk for the whole month of January 2021."

He said the DepEd shall coordinate with the COVID-19 National Task Force for monitoring the conduct of the pilot implementation.

"The pilot shall be done under strict health and safety measures, and where there is commitment for shared responsibility among DepEd, local goverment units and parents," Roque said.

But he clarified that holding of face-to-face classes would not be compulsary, but rather "voluntary" on the part of the learners or parents.

"Having said this, a parent's permit needs to be submitted for the student to participate in face-to-face classes," the spokesman added. DMS