ILOILO – No school in this province qualified to hold face-to-face classes beginning Nov. 15 for public schools and Nov. 22 for private schools, according to the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Iloilo.
The Schools Division of Iloilo actually picked five schools as possible pilot areas:
* Tomas Confesor Memorial Elementary School in Barangay Tabucan, Cabatuan – elementary level
* Granada National High School-Ballesteros Campus in Carles – junior high school
* Palanguia National High School in Barangay Palanguia, Pototan – Junior High School
* Adgao-Tagpu-an-Ingay Integrated School in Tubungan – Integrated School
* Cabacanan Elementary School in Alimodian – Indigenous Peoples (IP) Education
However, according to Leonil Salvilla, information officer of the Schools Division of Iloilo, four were classified as “moderate risk” for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) while the Granada National High School was the only one deemed a “low risk” based on the assessment of the local Inter-Agency Task Force and concerned local government units (LGUs).
Salvilla explained that apart from the risk classification, also considered was the number of vaccinated teachers and residents of the community where the schools were located.
Nevertheless, Salvilla said, preparations continue so that schools would be ready when face-to-face classes are allowed.
One of the current initiatives of DepEd-Iloilo is the ongoing implementation of the Comprehensive Water Sanitation Hygiene in Schools Program.
DepEd is also making parents aware of the process for children to return to schools later, especially to ensure that learners follow health protocols.
Only three schools in Region 6 have been chosen in the pilot implementation of face-to-face classes:
* Laserna Integrated School (Grade 6) in Aklan
* Mayabay Elementary School (Kinder to Grade 3) in Antique
* Igsoro Elementary School (Kinder to Grade 2) in Antique/PN
