ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews / 15 November) —No public school in this city resumed face-to-face classes as the pilot run of the in-person classes rolled out Monday across the country, a local Department of Education (DepEd) official said.
Face-to-face classes across the nation were suspended since last year due to the onslaught of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Roy Tuballa, DepEd city schools division superintendent, said in an interview that the local government unit did not give its consent for the resumption of face-to-face classes in the city.
The vaccination for children aged 12 to 17 began Monday last week across the city, which is still under the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine status.
On Monday, November 15, the DepEd released a statement listing 30 pilot public schools, from 59 earlier, that were allowed to resume face-to-face classes.
Only nine schools in the Zamboanga Peninsula were cleared to resume in-person classes.
These are the Siloh Elementary School and San Vicente Elementary School in Zamboanga Sibugay and the Manga National High School, Manga Elementary School, Lala Elementary School, Sominot National High School, Tabina Central Elementary School and Guipos National High School in Zamboanga del Sur.
Dr. Elmeir Jade Apolinario, Zamboanga City Inter-Agency Task Force chief implementer, said the pilot run for face-to-face classes was a “national government initiative,” which the city has to comply with.
He said the city will continue with its COVID-19 vaccination for minors as well as walk-in clients.
With the start of the pilot run of the face-to-face classes, the DepEd appealed to the public to always follow the required health protocols and standards. (Frencie Carreon / MindaNews)