CORRECTED COPY

Updates on
Pilot Face-to-Face Classes
Department of Education
October 6, 2021
Learning Continuity

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Development of Joint Guidelines (2021)
March – May
Data sharing with DOH and
UNICEF to classify risk-level
of the city/municipality where
participating schools are
located
June-July
Continuous Meetings with
DOH and Child Heath
Experts on the firming up of
Joint Guidelines, 2 of the
meetings were presided by
DOH
May
Coordination with
Department of Health
(DOH) in releasing a
possible joint circular on
the safe reopening of classes
July
Presentation to Inter-
Agency Task Force (IATF)
of the proposed design of
Pilot Face-to-Face. Co-
presented by DepEd and
DOH (July 15)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
May
Conduct of stakeholder
consultations with
parents/guardians, learners,
teachers, LGUs and barangay
health workers, and CSOs
Aug-Sept
Finalization of detailed Joint
Guidelines
Approval by the President of
Pilot Face-to-Face Classes
(Sep 20)
Signing of DepEd-DOH JMC 1
(Sep 27) DEPED-DOH-JMC-
No.-01-s.-2021_.pdf
Joint DepEd-DOH guidelines
consulted with:

1) World Health Organization

2) Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS)
3) Philippine Society of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (PSDBP)
4) Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSP)
5) Philippine College of Occupational Medicine (PCOM)
6) Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians (PSPHP)
7) Association of Municipal Health Officers of the Philippines (AMHOP)
8) Philippine Private School Health Officers’ Association (PSHOA)
9) UNICEF or United Nations Children’s Fund

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 4
 Why F2F Classes?
F2F classes, even in limited form, can mitigate the challenges of
distance learning

▪ Address difficulty in monitoring and assessing learning progress remotely

▪ Mitigate inequalities and unevenness in access to technology, household
resources, and student skills for self-learning
▪ Allow resumption of activities that cannot be done at home
▪ Address needs of learners with no adult in the family qualified to perform
the role of learning facilitator
▪ Ease negative mental health and child development impact of the lack of
face-to-face interaction and socialization among children
▪ With resumption of face-to-face classes, schools can help in the
enforcement of health standards in school setting

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Phases of Implementation
OBJECTIVES OF THE PILOT IMPLEMENTATION
• 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
IMPLEMENTATION PHASES

1 Implementation
Pilot 2 Expanded
Phase
3 New
Normal

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 6
 Operational Framework

SHARED RESPONSIBILITY
DepEd & DOH

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

POLICY ・ FINANCING

Schools & Families

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

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Safe Operations

KEY ELEMENTS STANDARDS

- Only schools located in minimal risk (Level 1) and passed the School Safety
Assessment Tool (SSAT)
Participating - 100 Public schools (combination of Elementary school and Senior High Schools
Schools that require the necessity for workshops and laboratories)
(public and private) - 20 private schools
- with express support of LGUs
- with express support and written consent of parents
- must submit a formal letter expressing interest to implement face-to-face classes
and willingness to submit a report on lesson and recommendations
Private Schools - must submit implementation plan and contingency plan for face-to-face classes
and clear health protocols
- Must pass the school safety assessment tool

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Safe Operations
KEY ELEMENTS STANDARDS
- Kinder to Grade 3 learners only, except for the SHS learners in the SHS schools,
- Voluntary with signed consent from parent
- Preferably learners from within the city/municipality where school is located
Learners - Can walk going to school, or with available private transport, or with regulated
public transportation
- Without existing comorbidities
- Prioritized based on greatest need for face-to-face if available slots are limited
- 65 years old and below and with no diagnosed co-morbidities
School Personnel - Teachers and other school personnel that will be involved in the implementation
of pilot face-to-face must be vaccinated
Duration of the 2 Months pilot implementation
Pilot
Will depend on the result of the assessment of the pilot implementation. There are
Expansion
schools in waiting, those that pass the SSAT.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Teaching and Learning

KEY STANDARDS
ELEMENTS
- Max of 12 learners for Kinder
- Max of 16 for Grades 1 to 3
Class Size
- Max of 20 learners for Senior High School in a classroom
- Max of 12 learners for SHS in a TVL workshops/Science laboratories
- Blended Learning approach will be applied
- 1-week straight face to face and 1-week straight Distance (alternating)
- Class schedules shall be arranged equitably so that all qualified learners
Teaching and with parents’ consent will have the opportunity to attend face-to-face classes
Learning - 1 teacher per class for Kinder to Grade 3
Approach - Only subjects that require laboratories/workshops for SHS will be allowed
for face to face
- Max of 4.5 hours stay in school, except for Kindergarten (max of 3 hours
stay in school)

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Teaching and Learning

KEY STANDARDS
ELEMENTS
- teacher load/s should be arranged equitably and fairly so that each
teacher follows the maximum 6-hour classroom teaching per day
Teacher
- Instructional time may be allotted to (a) teach “least learned/mastered”
Workload
content, (b) conduct authentic classroom assessment of learning, (c) review
previous lessons and (d) provide remediation/intervention
- Textbooks will be utilized for face to face (available in every school)
Learning
- Self-Learning Modules for Distance Learning (pre-deployed)
Resources
- Supplemental learning resources
- Group work which involves close contact shall not be allowed
School Activities - Staggered break time
- Large gatherings and activities are prohibited

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Wellbeing and Protection

KEY ELEMENTS STANDARDS

- Physically rearrange the classroom to ensure physical distancing (1 to 2 meters
Classroom Layout apart)
& Structure - Suitable alternative learning spaces other than classrooms within school
grounds or in students’ immediate community may be identified
- Establish safe entrance, exit, drop-off, and pick-up points, and contact tracing
School Traffic
procedures for all those entering the school premises
Management
- Set-up visual cues (i.e. hallway ground markings, etc.)
Protective - Proper sanitation and hygiene facilities (i.e. handwashing station)
measures, hygiene - Provision of face masks to learners, teachers, and school personnel
and sanitation - Availability of emergency health kits
practices and - Provision of daily health monitoring tool
respiratory - Designate school health safety officers to take charge of health and safety
etiquette protocols (i.e. may come from stakeholders, PTA, or barangay)

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Wellbeing and Protection
KEY ELEMENTS STANDARDS
School - Availability of hand soaps, sanitizers, and alcohol-based solutions in key areas
Disinfection, of the school and mechanisms to properly sanitize and disinfect the schools
Sanitation and - Routine sanitation of frequently touched surfaces
Waste - In coordination with DOH, identify mechanisms to properly sanitize and disinfect
Management the schools
Communication - Setting up of proactive COVID-19 local hotline/helpdesk that connects to and
Strategy coordinates with hospitals/LGUs
- Following a decision model and preparing a contingency plan for closing and
Contingency Plan
reopening the school in case of COVID-19 resurgence
- Ensuring proper ventilation of classrooms and maximize natural airflow (i.e. open
Proper Ventilation
windows)
- Temperature checks before entering the school premises
Detection and
- Discourage visitors and external stakeholders to enter the school
Referral
- Conduct of daily rapid health check at home and inside the classroom
- Setting up of school clinic for health emergencies
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Wellbeing and Protection
KEY ELEMENTS STANDARDS
- Cooperate with local health authorities in contact tracing activities if there is a
Contact Tracing
suspect/probable/confirmed positive case in the school
and Quarantine
- Set up transition mechanisms from limited face-to-face to full distance learning if
school needs to lockdown
- Mental health support shall be conducted by advisers in the first days (i.e.
kumustahan)
Psychological
- Maintain guidance office
Support
- SDOs shall set up counseling services (e.g. hotline)
- Engage parents and guardians in providing mental health support to learners
Vaccination of - IATF has categorized teachers and school personnel under A4 priority
Teachers and - Close coordination with their respective LGU to vaccinate teachers and other
School Personnel school personnel
Vaccination of - School shall screen vaccination records of children
Learners for Other - Close coordination with their respective LGU / private pediatrician to complete
Diseases routine infant vaccines

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Wellbeing and Protection

KEY ELEMENTS STANDARDS

- 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.
Coordination
- Ensure health personnel or designated “clinic teacher” are physically present at
Mechanisms
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
 School Safety Assessment Tool

• The standards will have an equivalent school safety checklist on (a)

Managing School Operations, (b) Teaching and Learning, (c)
Wellbeing and Protection, and (d) Home-School Coordination.

• For a school to be eligible for the pilot implementation of F2F classes,

they need to meet ALL the indicators.

• The Schools Division Offices (SDOs) shall facilitate the administration of

the readiness assessment tool to the nominated schools, and shall
validate the submitted results.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 School Safety Assessment Tool
PARAMETERS INDICATORS*
- Shared Responsibility
- Alternative Work Arrangement
- Classroom Layout and Structure
- School Traffic Management
Managing School Operations
- Protective Measures, Hygiene Practices, and Safety
Procedures
- Communication Strategy
- Contingency Plan
- Learning Resources
Teaching and Learning - Limited Face-to-Face Classes (i.e. Class Program)
- Teacher Support
- Personal Protective Equipment
Well-being and Protection - COVID-19 Case Management
- Including the Most Marginalized
- Coordination mechanism with LGU
Home-School Coordination
- Parent/Guardian Orientation

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Conditions for Safe Reopening Met

Stakeholders involved are consulted 5 1 Benefits outweigh the risks

and engaged in the preparation for ✓ Selection of learners
the gradual reopening ✓ Priority activities
✓ LGU concurrence
✓ IATF and OP
approval in principle
SAFE
Outbreak risks are
REOPENING
minimized for the 4 2 Transmission is controlled
vulnerable ✓ Minimal and Low Risk
✓ No variant or surge threat
✓ Senior household members
fully vaccinated
✓ Limited participation of high
risk students and staff
✓ Health care utilization < 70% 3
MPHS and capacities ✓ School readiness assessment
are in place and Safety Seal for PDITR
actions
Cumulative Layers of Protection for Children

Person ➤ Family ➤ School ➤ Community

Prioritization of learners Household vaccination Prioritization of school staff Minimal and low risk of
transmission in community
Appropriate PPE Routine disinfection Passed School Readiness
Assessment Vaccination of most
Behavioral adjustment Implementation of
vulnerable and exposed
minimum public health Continuous School Health
standards Promotion through Safety LGU and Hospital
and Surveillance Officers Coordination
 Selection Process for Pilot Public Schools

Submission
Safety Risk Shortlisting of
SELECTION Assessment
Validation of of Validated
Classification Schools for
SDOs/ROs List of
STAGE of Schools
Schools
Validation Pilot

• School Validation of SDOs/ROs for Risk Granting of

Safety Submission to Planning Service Classification Safety/Readiness
VALIDATION Assessment via Data Seal to the school
Tool Dashboard
based on DOH
• LGU COVID Data
Concurrence Drop

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Selection Process for Pilot Private Schools

RO evaluates the submitted

RO calls for submission SDO validates the results
proposal and the
of SSAT
of proposal for inclusion accomplished SSAT
in the pilot study of face
to face through RO deliberates on the
Regional Memo with RO nominates 3 private
identification of 3 private
following contents: school to CO for inclusion
school that will be nominated
in the 20 pilot schools
for pilot study
- Letter of intent
- Accomplished SSAT
- Implementation Plan DepEd and DOH subjects the nominated pilot schools to
further assessment for final selection
- Contingency Plan

Note:
• All schools that passed the SSAT are considered pilot schools in waiting for the expansion (phase 2)

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Selected Public Schools

• DOH transmitted to DepEd the selection of 59 public

schools (from the 638 nominated schools) that passed
their granular risk assessment as minimal or low risk (Oct
4)
• Rolling assessment to be transmitted to DepEd by DOH
every Monday, to increase the number of schools to
complete the 120
• Regional Directors may submit justification for inclusion of
specific schools, for further evaluation by DOH

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 22
 Timeline for the pilot implementation
Timelines Critical Steps
September • Approval of the Guidelines
• Finalization of list of Pilot schools (public and Private)
• Issuance of instruction memo in the preparation of Implementation of Plan and
contingency Plan
October • School Implementation and Contingency Plan based on JMC 1
• Coordination with LGUs
• Multi-level and multi-sectoral orientation (parents, LGUs, School Personnel, learners)
• Securing parents’ consent
• Campus and classroom arrangements
• Training on MPHSS
• Completion of needed PPEs, disinfection materials, hygiene and sanitation materials
• Site inspection – can be done by CO, RO and SDO
• Dry–run or simulation
• Preparation of Advocacy and other IEC Materials
• Generation of data on household vaccination

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 23
 Timeline for the pilot implementation
Timelines Critical Steps
November • Final inspection
• Start of Face-to-Face Classes – November 15 (Start of Academic Quarter 2)
December • Close monitoring of progress
• Christmas Break
• Assessment of initial run (nov-15-December 22)
January • Reopening after Christmas break
• End of Pilot study – January 31
February • Evaluation of the pilot study
• Identification of schools for expansion
• Preparation of expansion schools
• Site inspection
• Final list of expansion
• Approval of expansion Implementation Plan
• Dry-run
• Presentation to the President of the Pilot report and proposed expansion
March • Target start of expansion – March 7

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 24
Thank you!
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 25