Manila school set for F2F classes, awaits DepEd approval

MANILA – The Aurora A. Quezon Elementary School in Manila’s Malate District is all set for the implementation of limited face-to-face classes.

Twelve Kindergarten students and 16 from Grades 1 to 3 will be allowed inside the classrooms once the school gets the go-signal from the Department of Education (DepEd).

DepEd has initially identified 59 schools out of the planned 120 for inclusion in face-to-face classes starting November 15.

DepEd Memorandum No. 071, series of 2021, states that all public schools shall conduct the School Safety Assessment Tool (SSAT) to determine their readiness.

The National Task Force Against Covid-19 will also allocate vaccines for teachers in schools that will implement physical classes.

Private institutions that want to avail of the 20 slots can submit letters of intent, implementation and contingency plans, and accomplished SSAT until Friday.

International schools can be added to the 120 pilot schools depending on their proposals.

Dr. Magdalena Lim, superintendent of Manila’s Division of City Schools, and Armand Andres of the Department of Engineering and Public Works led an ocular inspection on Tuesday.

“We placed protective shields tsaka ‘yung mga protocols (and as part of protocols), alcohols and thermometers,” Lim said in an interview.

Manila also asked for the inclusion of Maximino Hizon Elementary School in Tondo, Padre Burgos Elementary School and Pio del Pilar Elementary School in Sta. Mesa, Ramon Avanceña High School in Quiapo, and Ignacio Villamor Senior High School in Sta. Ana.