Almost 400 students in three schools in Western Visayas joined the pilot implementation of the limited face-to-face classes in the country on Monday, Nov 15, 2021, after more than a year of distance and modular learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the entire Western Visayas, only three schools were allowed by the Department of Education (DepEd) to participate in the limited face-to-face classes this November – the Laserna Integrated School in Nabas, Aklan; Igsoro Integrated School in Bugasong, Antique; and Mayabay Primary School in Barbaza, Antique.
A total of 376 students attended the physical classes – 224 in Laserna Integrated School; 89 in Igsoro Integrated School; and 63 in Mayabay Primary School.
In Laserna Integrated School, 48 students are from Kindergarten; 64 in Grade 1; 58 in Grade II and 54 in Grade III alongside 30 school personnel.
Instead of the usual scenes during the first day of classes, students underwent triage which was established in the school to ensure the observance of minimum public health standards.
Before entering their classrooms, the learners were required to sanitize their hands and have their temperature checked.
Far from the usual crowding of students inside the classrooms, plastic barriers were installed on the seats to ensure physical distancing.
According to DepEd-6 Regional Director Ramir Uytico, they have long prepared for the limited opening of classes in the three schools to ensure the health and safety of the students and the school personnel amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Some of the teaching staff in schools were emotional because they were happy with the reopening of our schools after its closure since the start of the pandemic,” Uytico said.
Meanwhile, Uytico reminded the schools to not be complacent and strictly enforce the health protocols especially inside the classrooms. (ERS)
