A maximum of 20 students per classroom will be set by DepEd if in case physical classes do resume.
Limiting the students per classroom
Faced with the possibility of the reopening of schools for physical classes, DepEd sets out a limit on the number of allowed students per classroom. DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones reminded school administrators for both private and public schools to limit at most 20 students per classroom only to maintain the needed social distancing measures.
In an earlier statement from the agency, schools are set to resume on or before August 24. Private and some public schools may opt to start earlier if health conditions in their respective areas are suitable for the early reopening.
But, the department reminded school administrators of no physical classes earlier than August 24, classes will still be through distance learning up until face to face classes are allowed by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) in charge of the COVID-19 situation.
Opening of classes in the Philippines
According to Briones, the reopening of classes in August is in compliance with Republic Act 7797, stating that “The school year is set to start between the first Monday of June up until the last day of August.”
But, reopening of classes does not imply it should be physical, which is not yet allowed as of now due to the COVID-19 crisis. School administrators from private and public schools are looking into distance learning methods to ensure that the children’s education is not stagnant due to the limitations given by the crisis.
There are certain regions in the country where minimal cases are being reported and assessed as safe by the IATF. Nonetheless, if schools in these areas consider physical classes upon reopening, the 20 students per classroom limit should be strictly implemented along with other social distancing and sanitation measures.
