CATARMAN, Northern Samar (PIA) -- With the approval of the progressive expansion of the reopening of classes, the Department of Education (DepEd) - Division of Northern Samar has started its limited face-to-face classes in five schools, both public and private, on February 21.

For the first batch, the five schools are Capul Agro-Industrial School (Capul District), Don Juan F. Avalon National High School (San Roque District), Eladio T. Balite Memorial School of Fisheries (Bobon District), Sacred Heart School of Northern Samar (San Isidro District), and St. Anthony Academy of Mondragon (Mondragon District).

Dr. Alex Rejuso, DEpEd Curriculum Implementation Division chief said, these five schools have been validated as compliant with the standards of the School Safety Assessment Tool (SSAT), a tool used to assess the readiness of the schools in the conduct of the limited face-to-face classes and other learning modality due to COVID-19 pandemic.

He said SSAT will serve as baseline data for the division office in providing support and technical assistance to schools in addressing the existing gaps and issues.

According to Rejuso, a composite team was created to conduct monitoring visits, validates data, and verify the results submitted by the school for the safe reopening of classes.

“The school also secured the concurrence of the local chief executives where the expansion school is located, and proper coordination with their respective barangay officials to ensure the safety of the student as well as the teachers,” Rejuso said.

He said some schools have complied with the requirements of the SSAT and are now in the process of securing concurrence from the LGUs so that for the next two weeks another school will be allowed to conduct limited face-to-face classes.

The schools are given flexibility in contact time for teaching and learning and the recommended time is 4.5 hours.  Students are not allowed to eat during classes to avoid COVID-19 virus transmission.

He also encouraged teachers and learners who will participate in the face-to-face classes to get vaccinated to protect everyone from the contagion of the corona virus. (NBQ/TBC/PIA Northern Samar)