Operational Guidelines on the

Implementation of Face-to-face
Learning Modality
DepEd-DOH JMC No. 1 s. 2021 -

October 2021
 TIMELINE

Creation of Pilot F2F

Preparation for School Year Composite Team
2020-2021 Preparation for possible
conduct of Limited F2F Classes Continuous discussions and
Preparations for SY 2020-2021 coordination with key DepEd
under the BE-LCP (i.e. Conduct of the Learning Offices and stakeholders in
resources for distance learning Continuity and Safe School developing the joint issuance on
modalities) Operations Survey. the pilot implementation

Jun-Sep
Dec 2020 Mar 2021 2021

Jun-Oct Jan-Feb May 2021

2020 2021
Pilot F2F Proposal
President Duterte approved the
conduct of a pilot implementation
for the face-to-face classes.
However due to the new variants
of COVID-19, the President
recalled the earlier decision
Coordination with key Finalization & Approval of the
stakeholders Guidelines
Senators file a resolution for the Validation and finalization of the
immediate launch of the pilot structure, components, and key
implementation elements of the draft guidelines
On September 20, 2021, the
President approved the conduct
of face-to-face classes in
minimal-risk areas.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 BACKGROUND
NECESSITY FOR LIMITED FACE-TO-FACE CLASSES
a. Address difficulty in monitoring and assessing learning progress remotely
b. Mitigate inequalities and unevenness in access to technology, household
resources, and student skills for self-learning
c. Allow resumption of activities that cannot be done at home, such as the
workshop requirements in the TechVoc Track
d. Ease the negative mental health impact of the lack of face-to-face
interaction among children
e. Absence of more responsible adult in the family qualified to take the role of
learning facilitator
f. With resumption of face-to-face classes, schools can help in the
enforcement of health standards in school setting

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 POLICY OBJECTIVES
OVERALL OBJECTIVES OF THE LIMITED FACE-TO-FACE CLASSES
● Deliver quality basic education in a safe learning environment to learners in
low-risk areas
● Address the teaching and learning gaps encountered in the distance learning
modalities
● Strengthen the school-community health and safety support system for all
children
STRATEGY FOR THE PILOT IMPLEMENTATION

1 Implementation
Pilot 2 Expanded
Phase
3 New
Normal
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 OPERATIONAL FRAMEWORK

SHARED RESPONSIBILITY
DepEd & DOH

Other
INCLUDING THE WELL-BEING
LGU / SAFE TEACHING & Concerned
Community MOST AND Government
OPERATIONS LEARNING MARGINALIZED Agencies
PROTECTION
POLICY ・ FINANCING
Schools & Families

Based on DepEd Framework of Shared Responsibility and UN Agencies – World Bank Framework for Reopening Schools

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Eligibility of Participation
to the Implementation of
Face-to-Face Classes

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 ELIGIBILITY OF PARTICIPATION
SCHOOLS (BOTH PRIVATE & PUBLIC)
● located in minimal-risk areas based on criteria set by DOH
● passed the school safety assessment using the School Safety Assessment
Tool (SSAT)
● have expressed support from LGUs (Barangay, Municipality, City, Province)
in the form of a resolution or letter of support allowing them to participate in
face-to-face classes
● secured expressed support and consent of parents of students who WILL
participate in the reopening of face-to-face classes, in the form of a written
Consent Form

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 ELIGIBILITY OF PARTICIPATION
For private schools that signify to participate, the following requirements shall be complied
prior to the authorization from the Regional Director:

1. Submission of a formal letter addressed to the Regional Director expressing the

following:
a. interest to implement limited face-to-face classes;
b. willingness to submit a report on lessons and recommendations on a monthly basis
during the pilot implementation and quarterly for the expanded implementation of
face-to-face classes
2. The following attachments shall be submitted along with the formal letter:
a. implementation plan for the face-to-face classes including class program, class
schedule, and health and safety protocols (including testing capacity and
arrangements for all students and personnel attending schools).
b. clear protocols for medical isolation, school re-closures and reopening in the event
of detected cases among students or school personnel.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 ELIGIBILITY OF PARTICIPATION
TEACHERS & EMPLOYEES
● All teachers and employees who are 65 years old and below and with no diagnosed co-
morbidities shall be eligible to provide service during the conduct of the face-to-face
classes. Likewise, teachers and employees who are considered PWDs, are pregnant and
lactating, whose services are indispensable under the present circumstance may be considered
eligible, (as provided for in CSC Memorandum Circular No. 18, s. 2020). Regardless of the
vaccination status, teachers and other employees are eligible to participate, while those with
stable comorbidities may join voluntarily. School administrators may decide on teachers and
other employees then schedule based on careful analysis of risks and benefits.

● COVID-19 vaccination shall remain an essential strategy to complement the existing

implementation of the Prevention, Detection, Isolation, Treatment, and Reintegration (PDITR)
strategies, which is the cornerstone of the country’s response to prevent further transmission.
DepEd shall encourage teachers and personnel, regardless of employment status, to be
vaccinated for COVID-19. Vaccination shall follow the country’s allocation framework for priority
eligible population.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 ELIGIBILITY OF PARTICIPATION
LEARNERS
○ Participation is voluntary with signed written consent from parent/guardian
○ Only learners from within the city/municipality where the school/learning center is located shall be
considered
○ Can walk going to school, or, with regulated public transportation, or with available private transport
○ Without existing comorbidities

Participating schools may further do prioritization of learners according but not limited to the
following conditions:
○ Children who require childcare, such as those whose parents must work outside the home, or who
have no directly available and immediately responsible adults/ guardians at home;
○ Learners heavily dependent on face-to-face learning interventions, such as Key Stage 1 learners
(Kindergarten to Grade 3);
○ Learners who struggle to meet the required learning competencies;
○ Senior high school learners enrolled in Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) track requiring workshop
equipment in school; and
○ Learners that are documented to be affected by mental health concerns that may be eased by face-to-
face interactions. The school shall provide a referral process to address mental health concerns.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Guidelines on Safe
Reopening
❏ Safe Operations
❏ Ensuring Teaching &
Learning
❏ Including the Most
Marginalized
❏ Wellbeing & Protection

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 SAFE OPERATIONS

1 MANAGING SCHOOL
OPERATIONS
This shall guide schools on how to
2 HOME-SCHOOL
COORDINATION
This shall provide guidance to school
safely manage school operations regarding the coordination
during the conduct of limited face-to- arrangements between home and
face classes: school, and other stakeholders (i.e.
- Classroom layout and structure Barangay Health Emergency
- School Traffic Management
- Protective measures, hygiene and sanitation
Response Team)
practices and respiratory etiquette
- School Sanitation and Waste Management
- Communication Strategy
- Contingency Plan
- School lockdown & Reopening

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SAFE OPERATIONS MANAGING SCHOOL OPERATIONS

PREPARATIONS FOR SCHOOL REOPENING

• setting up schools physical structures, WASH facilities and supplies, personal protective
equipment (PPEs), health and safety protocols, learning materials, class programs, and
human resource requirements in accordance with these guidelines and the DOH
Administrative Order No. 2021-0043
• involvement of the community in the school reopening process to shape the perceptions of
risks and effectively respond to the health crises through localized efforts
• adjusting of class programs according to schools Alternative Work Arrangements (AWA)
• orienting learners, parents, guardians, teaching and non-teaching personnel, external
stakeholders and LGU of the eligibility for participation, existing protocols, mechanisms, and
procedures needed in conducting face-to-face classes
• conducting simulation activities among school personnel regarding protocols and routines to
replicate and discuss possible scenarios during the actual conduct of face-to-face classes

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 SAFE OPERATIONS MANAGING SCHOOL OPERATIONS

HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS

• Classroom Layout & Structure.
○ Physically redesign the classroom to ensure physical distancing
• School Traffic Management.
○ Establish safe entrance, exit, drop-off, and pick-up points, and contact tracing
procedures for all those entering the school premises
• Protective measures, hygiene and sanitation practices and respiratory etiquette.
○ Setting up of proper sanitation and hygiene facilities (i.e. handwashing station)
○ Provision of face masks to learners, teachers, and school personnel and availability
of emergency health kits
○ Provision of daily health monitoring tool
○ Designate school health safety officers to take charge of health and safety protocols

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 SAFE OPERATIONS MANAGING SCHOOL OPERATIONS

HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS

• School disinfection, sanitation and waste management.
○ Availability of hand soaps, sanitizers, and alcohol-based solutions in key areas of
the school and mechanisms to properly sanitize and disinfect the schools
○ Routine sanitation of frequently touched surfaces
• Communication strategy
○ Setting up of proactive COVID-19 local hotline/helpdesk that connects to and
coordinates with hospitals/LGUs
• Contingency plan
○ Following a decision model and preparing a contingency plan for closing and
reopening the school in case of COVID-19 resurgence.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 SAFE OPERATIONS MANAGING SCHOOL OPERATIONS

CLASS SIZE
Schools following the required number of learners per classroom:

KEYSTAGE ALLOWABLE MAXIMUM NUMBER

Kindergarten Maximum of 12 learners in a class
Grades 1 – 3: Maximum of 16 learners in a class
Grades 4 – 6 Maximum of 20 learners in a class
Grades 7 – 10 Maximum of 20 learners in a class
Grades 11 – 12 Maximum of 20 learners in a class
TVL Workshop / Science Labs Maximum of 12 learners

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 SAFE OPERATIONS HOME-SCHOOL COORDINATION

COORDINATION MECHANISMS
• Coordination with Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT)
of the Local Government Unit (LGU) in ensuring health protocols are
observed properly
• Operationalize the Preventive Alert System in Schools (PASS), teachers
routinely conduct health inspection.
• Ensure health personnel or designated “clinic teacher” are physically
present at the school clinic during school days
• Orientation of parents/guardians in health and safety protocols in
school and at home (i.e. pick-up and drop-off, minimum health and safety
requirements, reinforcing health and safety protocols at home)
• Home-school coordination on health status of learners
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 TEACHING & LEARNING

1
GUIDANCE FOR CLASS
SCHEDULING
This shall guide schools on
2 ENSURING TEACHING &
LEARNING DELIVERY
implementing blended learning This shall provide schools a
approach (class schedules, proposed general guide regarding

3
teaching tasks for F2F classes)
teaching load, monitoring of
class attendance, instructional
CURRICULUM time, and limitations with class
DepED prescribes the K-to-12 Curriculum recitation, group work and other
as a minimum requirement for all public and
private schools that will participate in the school activities
implementation of face-to-face classes.
However, for the pilot face-to-face classes,
the focus of instruction shall be on the Most
Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs).
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 TEACHING &
ENSURING LEARNING DELIVERY
LEARNING

TEACHING & LEARNING APPROACH

● Blended Learning approach will be applied
● 1-week straight face to face and 1-week straight Distance
(alternating)
● 1 teacher per class for Kinder to Grade 3
● Only subjects that require laboratories/workshops for SHS will be
allowed for face to face, the rest of the subjects will be on distance
modality
● Max of 4.5 hours stay in school, except for Kindergarten (max of 3
hours stay in school)

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 TEACHING &
ENSURING LEARNING DELIVERY
LEARNING

RESOURCES AND SCHEDULES

• Learning resources needed for the face-to-face classes should be
sufficient.
○ Textbooks will be utilized for face to face (available in every school)
○ Self-Learning Modules for Distance Learning (pre-deployed)
○ Supplemental learning resources

• Class schedules shall be arranged equitably so that all qualified

learners will have the opportunity to attend face-to-face classes.
The school shall ensure that arrival, breaks, and dismissal time are
staggered to avoid crowding of learners in the schools canteen and
gates. Regardless of the learners’ schedule, they shall only be allowed
to have lunch in their respective homes.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 TEACHING &
ENSURING TEACHING DELIVERY
LEARNING

TEACHER WORKLOAD
• The teacher load/s should be arranged equitably and fairly so that each
teacher follows the maximum 6-hour classroom teaching per day.
• Since physical distancing has to be observed during the face-to-face
sessions, teachers may allot the instructional time to:
• Explicitly teach the “least learned/mastered” content and performance
standards
• Conduct authentic classroom assessment of learning
• Review the previous lessons
• Provide remediation/intervention
• Closely monitor the attendance so that the teacher can determine which
participating learners are exhibiting difficulties in coming to school.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 TEACHING &
ENSURING TEACHING DELIVERY
LEARNING

CLASSROOM & SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

• Group work which involves close contact shall not be allowed during face-to-
face classes to avoid close contact with one another.
• Schools shall be prohibited to conduct physical or face-to-face large gatherings
and activities that will require close contact or where physical distancing may not
be possible (e.g., school activities, field trips, sports festivals, flag ceremony).
• Appropriate learning and development assistance (i.e. coaching, mentoring,
training) for teachers shall be provided to ensure their ability to deliver relevant
teaching and learning strategies. School-based learning action cells (SLAC) must
be regularly conducted based on the assessed needs of the teachers in providing
instructional support to learners.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 INCLUDING THE MOST MARGINALIZED

For marginalized children, the framework recognizes that school reopening

will mean going beyond opening the school gates for teachers and learners.
For this group of learners, these factors shall be considered:
a. Identification of learners who are most marginalized in terms of access to
learning as indicated in the eligibility of learners;
b. Development of learning strategies to cater to the needs of the
marginalized learners;
c. Coordination with partner agencies for the provision of assistive devices
to SPED learners who will participate in the face to face implementation;
d. Provision of other school health-related and nutrition services
e. Ensuring their safety and well-being by following health protocols.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 WELLBEING & PROTECTION
This shall provide guidance on how to prevent the possible transmission of COVID-19
among the learners, personnel, and other stakeholders.

SUPPORT TO HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE SCHOOLS

• Strategies to Prevent COVID-19
• Strategies to Detect COVID-19
• Strategies to Isolate and Treat COVID-19
• Psychological Support
• Immunization and other School Health Services
• Strategy to Reintegrate

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 WELL-BEING &
PROTECTION

SUPPORT TO HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE SCHOOLS

• Detection and Referral
• Temperature checks before entering the school premises
• Discourage visitors and external stakeholders to enter the school
• Conduct of daily rapid health check inside the classroom
• Setting up of school clinic for health emergencies
• Proper Ventilation
• Ensuring proper ventilation of classrooms and maximize natural airflow (i.e.
open windows)
• Contact Tracing and Quarantine
• Cooperate with local health authorities in contact tracing activities if there is a
confirmed positive case in the school
• Set up transition mechanisms from limited face-to-face to full distance learning
if school needs to lockdown

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 WELL-BEING &
PROTECTION

SUPPORT TO HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE SCHOOLS

• Psychological Support
• Mental health support shall be conducted by advisers in the first days (i.e. kumustahan)
• Maintain guidance office
• SDOs shall set up counseling services (e.g. hotline)
• Engage parents and guardians in providing mental health support to learners
• Vaccination of Teachers and School Personnel
• The IATF has categorized teachers and school personnel under A4 priority.
• Close coordination with their respective LGU to vaccinate teachers.
• Vaccination of Learners for other Diseases
• Coordination with LGU on routine immunization of children and other health service needs

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 WELL-BEING &
PROTECTION

SUPPORT TO HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE SCHOOLS

• Other Support
• Continued access to outpatient health services for physical and mental health
resilience including mental health, immunization and other school-based health
services

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Roles and Responsibilities

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Department of Health (DOH) - shall provide technical assistance to other
NGAs, and other stakeholders, and to LGUs, institutions, and other
stakeholders through its Centers for Health Development (CHDs) for the
updating of localized guidelines consistent with this issuance. The DOH shall
continuously update the set minimum public health standards based on the
most recent evidence available.

• Department of Education (DepEd) shall base their COVID-19 Response and

Mitigation Strategies on the exposure risk severity of the community, as guided
by the Interagency Task Force for Emerging and Infectious Diseases (IATF-
EID) risk classification levels, and the exposure risk rating of the nature of work
or activities involved. The risk assessment shall be done across all settings in
developing local and internal guidelines for commensurate action, especially for
high-risk personnel and activities.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Level Roles & Responsibilities

Central Office ● Provide overall policy directions in the implementation of the limited face-to-
face classes
(National)
● Formulate national guidelines and standards on the conduct of pilot
implementation of face to face
● Monitor and assess the implementation of limited face-to-face classes;
● Coordinate with Inter- Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases,
Department of Interior and Local Government, and National Task Force
against Covid-19
● Develop a COVID-19 Response and Mitigation Strategies based on the
exposure risk severity of the community, as guided by the Interagency Task
Force for Emerging and Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) risk classification
levels, and the exposure risk rating of the nature of work or activities
involved. Mobilize resources to meet the standards of the health and safety
protocols
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Level Roles & Responsibilities

Regional ● Prepare a regional implementation plan for the conduct of
limited face-to-face classes
Offices
● Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the limited face-to-
(ROs) face
● Provide technical assistance to SDOs regarding the conduct of
limited face-to-face classes, as necessary
● Mobilize resources to meet the standards of the health and
safety protocols
● Orient SDO key officials on the standards and process of pilot
implementation of face-to-face classes

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Level Roles & Responsibilities

Schools ● Prepare a division implementation plan for the conduct of limited face-to-face
classes
Division ● Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the limited face-to-face classes
Offices ● Provide technical assistance to schools regarding the conduct of limited face-
(SDOs) to-face classes, as necessary
● Mobilize resources and support from community stakeholders to meet the
standards of the health and safety protocols
● Orient SDO key officials on the standards and process of pilot
implementation of face-to-face classes
● Orient school heads, LGUs on the standards of pilot implementation
● Validate the results of the School Safety Assessment Tool for public and
private schools
● Submit to Regional office the validated list of participating schools

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Level Roles & Responsibilities
Participating ● Ensure the strict implementation of health and safety protocols during face-to-face
classes
School ● Submit the result of the school safety assessment to the SDO
● Orient parents, community, barangay officials, civil society organizations and other
partners about the pilot face-to-face classes process, standards, roles and
responsibilities
● Secure written support from Local Government Units
● Secure consent from parent/legal guardian
● Develop contingency plan in case of school lockdown
● Mobilize resources and support from community stakeholders (i.e. LGU, parents,
health workers, NGO, among others) to meet the standards of the health and safety
protocols
● Establish coordination mechanisms with BHERT and LGUs for referral system,
contact tracing, school traffic management, disinfection, school lockdown, among
others
● Establish psychosocial support mechanisms to learners and school personnel

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
LGU AND THE COMMUNITY
• LGU shall formulate local policies/ordinances of managing traffic during
school days. LGU shall enforce rerouting when necessary.
• LGU shall ensure availability of medical personnel and standby vehicle for
use when need or emergency arises.
• LGU shall ensure that school premises are secured and shall be free from
bystanders, transient vendors of foods, tricycle drivers and other non-
essential presence of individuals.
• LGU and the community shall observe measures to ensure safety of
learners and other school personnel. This shall include access to COVID-19
testing kits and medical facilities.
• LGU and the community shall establish an information dissemination system
that updates students, parents, and school staff about the evolving situation
and measures taken in the event of COVID-19.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 RELATED ISSUANCES

• OM-OSEC-2021-002 - School Contingency Plan Manual

for the Implementation of Face-to-Face Classes
• DepEd Memo 71, s. 2021 - Preparations for the Pilot
Face-to-Face, Expansion, and Transitioning to the New
Normal
• DepEd Memo 72, s. 2022 - Accountability Map for the
Preparations for the Implementation of the Limited Face-
to-Face Learning Modality

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Thank you!
Planning Service – Policy Research and
Development Division
ps.prd@deped.gov.ph
(02) 8635 3976
2/F Alonzo Building, DepEd Complex, Pasig City
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 36