OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental (PIA)—Montol National High School in Barangay Stimson Abordo, Ozamiz started the opening of limited face-to-face classes, December 2, under the Department of Education (DepEd)’s effort to pilot the implementation of a gradual return to classroom learning.

MNHS as the school used for the pilot implementation was identified by the DepEd central and regional offices.

Ozamiz City Schools Division Superintendent Jean G. Veloso explained that limited face-to-face classes will run for four hours each day only.

“With teachers checking what students have learned through the self-learning modules; offering remediation on subjects/topics not understood by students; reviewing of lessons students find it hard to learn on their own; psychosocial support for students after the prolonged quarantine; and the conduct of hands-on activities which cannot be taught through the modules, including welding and cooking,” she said.

Veloso also said other subjects that can be learned through the modules will continue to be delivered and learned at home.

The school will serve as a model for other schools in the division when face-to-face classes get wider implementation in ensuring the safe continuity in the delivery of education, not only for the students and teachers but to the community as a whole.

Physically attending their first day back in school are Junior and Senior High School students of the MNHS. About 20 Junior High students will attend classes in an alternating schedule. A total of 10 students will be attending the first week, while the next 10 are scheduled the following week. Of the 12 Senior High School students, 10 are back for the face-to-face classes while the other 2 wait for their vaccination to be completed before they can be allowed to physically attend classes.

Other schools in the city are currently preparing the necessary requirements for the resumption of face-to-face classes. DepEd Ozamiz expects more schools to open in January next year. (AONC/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)