Two Quezon City schools are all set for the Department of Education’s (DepEd) pilot run of limited face-to-face classes on Monday, December 6, 2021.

Based on DepEd’s announcement on Thursday afternoon, Bagong Silangan Elementary School and Payatas B Annex Elementary School in Barangays Bagong Silangan and Payatas respectively are among the 28 schools in Metro Manila that will resume in-person classes. Each school underwent safety assessment by DepEd and Department of Health.

“Ikinatutuwa ng pamahalaang lungsod na magiging bahagi ng pilot face-to-face classes ang dalawa sa ating mga pampublikong paaralan. Makatitiyak ang mga magulang na magiging ligtas ang kanilang mga anak, maging ang mga guro, sa kanilang pagbabalik-eskwela,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

Last month, the Quezon City government started issuing safety seals to schools and institutions located in the city, which confirms their compliance with the minimum health and safety protocols and building regulations set by the national and the local government.

“Ang safety seal ang magiging batayan na nakasunod sa pamantayan ng health and safety protocols ang paaralan kaya’t nakatitiyak ang mga magulang, pati na mga guro, na magiging safe ang kanilang mga anak kapag nagsimula na ang face-to-face classes sa lungsod,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

Earlier, Mayor Belmonte and the city’s inspection team composed of the Department of Building Official (DBO), Schools Division Office (SDO), City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU), and Education Affairs Unit (EAU) visited Payatas B Annex Elementary School, Bagong Silangan Elementary School and St. Luke Medical Center College of Medicine in Barangay Kalusugan.

During the said visit, the inspection team made sure that the schools have water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities, proper ventilation in classrooms, enough classroom space to make sure that physical distancing is strictly implemented. Physical barriers, markers and signages were also put in place to ensure observance of physical distancing.

Inspected schools also have isolation rooms and on-standby ambulance.

According to the Schools Division Office, students and teachers will be divided into two groups. Their classes will be a combination of face-to-face classes and distance learning that are scheduled weekly.

Mayor Belmonte also expressed that the city is willing to support schools that need to be retrofitted to comply with standards and regulations. The city will also provide hygiene kits and supplies for students, as well as for the school.

For his part, DBO chief Atty. Dale Perral said the city has already inspected four medical colleges that require hands-on training and laboratory classes namely Far Eastern University, Our Lady of Fatima University, University of the East – Ramon Magsaysay, and World Citi Colleges.

“Mas maiging pinaghahandaan na natin ang face-to-face classes lalo na’t bumababa na ang kaso ng COVID-19 sa NCR. Kahit wala pang ibinababang utos ang national government, dapat lagi tayong handa para masiguro nating ligtas ang bawat estudyante at guro. Patuloy tayong bumibisita at nag-iinspeksyon sa iba’t ibang paaralan sa lungsod para masigurong handa na sila. Kapag nakita nating may kakulangan pa o kailangan isaayos sa pasilidad ng paaralan, handa naman ang pamahalaang lungsod na magbigay ng tulong sa kanila,” the mayor added.

Aside from the primary schools, the city has also inspected five medical colleges that requires hands-on training and laboratory classes namely St. Lukes Medical Center – College of Medicine, Far Eastern University, Our Lady of Fatima University, University of the East – Ramon Magsaysay, and World Citi Colleges. ###