Milllions of Students trooped back to school on Monday the first time most of them will

be attending face-to-fake classes in over 2 years due to thepandemic.

PUBLIC and PRIVATE schools nationwide reopened, with many returning to in

person classes.

Over 28.03 million students have enrolled this academic year,

the department of education (DepEd) said.

than More 24,000 schools, or 46%, will implement 5 days of face-to-face classes,
while 29,721 schools will continue to hold classes through blended learning from August
to October, according to DepEd data.

By November two, all public and pri vate schools are requred by DepEd to
transition to full in-person classes.

Due to the threat of the COOVID-19 pandemic, face-to-face classes were not
allowed in school years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022. At the start of the global health
crisis, schools shifted to distance learning.

For over two years since the pandemic struck in March 2020, the Philippines was
among the few countries in the world where schools had not fully opened for in-
person classes.

The much-awaited return to face-to-face classes was met with a protest.

Members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers staged a sunrise protest in Mendiola,
manila city to call for the safe reopening of classes.

The protesters also asked the government to improve the salary and benefits of
teachers.

deped is carrying out a "no discrimination policy," which allows learners and
school personnel to attend face-to-face classes whether or not they are vaccinated
against COVID-19.

Only 19percent of students in the country have been fully vacinated against COVID-19,
while 92% of teaching and non-teaching personnel have completed their shots, the
department said three days before the start of classes.
 DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa believes the low vaccination rate among
learners is largely because COVID-19 imunization is not a pre-Requisite to return to
school.

"The truth of the matter is the vaccination program of the government is not
mandatory," said he on Aug. 19.

This directive is a far cry from the vaccination requirements carried out during the
time of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Then DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones only
allowed vaccinated students and teachers to take part in physical classes.

DepEd is also rolling out a counseling program alongside mobile vaccination

centers this school year to encourage parents and students to get their COVID-19
shots.

Students who exhibit flu-like symptoms will be excused from in-person classes.
Schools will not be held liable if a student or personnel tests positive for COVID-19.
Filipino students return to face-to-
face classes after 2 years of distance
learning
Millions of students trooped back to school on Monday — the first time most of them will
be attending face-to-face classes in over two years due to the pandemic.

Public and private schools nationwide reopened, with many returning to in-person
classes. Over 28.03 million students have enrolled this academic year, the Department
of Education (DepEd) said.

More than 24,000 schools, or 46%, will implement five days of face-to-face classes,
while 29,721 schools will continue to hold classes through blended learning from August
to October, according to DepEd data.

By November 2, all public and private schools are required by DepEd to transition to full
in-person classes.

Due to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, face-to-face classes were not allowed in
school years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022. At the start of the global health crisis, schools
shifted to distance learning.

For over two years since the pandemic struck in March 2020, the Philippines was
among the few countries in the world where schools had not fully opened for in-person
classes.

The much-awaited return to face-to-face classes was met with a protest. Members of
the Alliance of Concerned Teachers staged a sunrise protest in Mendiola, Manila City to
call for the safe reopening of classes.

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The protesters also asked the government to improve the salary and benefits of
teachers.

Health, vaccination protocols

DepEd is carrying out a "no discrimination policy," which allows learners and school
personnel to attend face-to-face classes whether or not they are vaccinated against
COVID-19.
Only 19% of students in the country have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19,
while 92% of teaching and non-teaching personnel have completed their shots, the
department said three days before the start of classes.

DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa believes the low vaccination rate among learners is
largely because COVID-19 immunization is not a pre-requisite to return to school.

"The truth of the matter is the vaccination program of the government is not mandatory,"
he said on Aug. 19.

This directive is a far cry from the vaccination requirements carried out during the time
of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Then DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones only
allowed vaccinated students and teachers to take part in physical classes.

DepEd is also rolling out a counseling program alongside mobile vaccination centers
this school year to encourage parents and students to get their COVID-19 shots.

Students who exhibit flu-like symptoms will be excused from in-person classes. Schools
will not be held liable if a student or personnel tests positive for COVID-19.