BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Department of Education (DepEd) Division of Negros Occidental is continuing its validation of public schools in preparation for the 100 percent resumption of face-to-face (F2F) classes in all levels this November.
Ian Arnold Arnaiz, DepEd-Negros Occidental public relations officer, said they are hopeful that before the opening of the new school year, they can validate all schools under the division.
If the schools pass the assessment, they can open for F2F classes.
Arnaiz said that last school year, 52 schools under their division offered limited F2F classes.
There are 481 elementary schools and 100 high schools under the province’s schools division.
“As to whether all students in Negros Occidental can go to school when classes open in August, we still have schools affected by [super typhoon] “Odette” last December. Many schools still need repairs,” Arnaiz added.
Yesterday, the DepEd central office announced that school year 2022-2023 will open on Monday, Aug. 22, 2022 and end on July 7, 2023.
DepEd said the upcoming school year has a total of 203 school days or as may be determined by further issuances in case of changes in the school calendar due to unforeseen circumstances.
Earlier on Monday, Negros Occidental governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said if President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. wants the full resumption of F2F classes, DepEd must exert all efforts to make it happen.
With COVID-19 vaccination among minors being one of the key factors for the resumption of F2F classes, Lacson said as of present the province had yet to cover the vaccination of minors in the province.
He plans to hold a meeting with relevant parties to find a way to expand the vaccination coverage for minors in the province.
“Right now [the province] already has F2F classes pero minimal pa. I understand what the President wants is 100 percent F2F, so I will call a meeting with DepEd to discuss if it is possible,” Lacson said./PN
