Public schools in the Cordillera Administrative Region have begun preparing for the resumption of face-to-face classes at the start of the school year on August 22, as well as the possible coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination in schools.
“We will make our schools ready with the available resources,” Department of Education-Cordillera Administrative Region (DepEd-CAR) regional director Estella Leon-Cariño said in a phone interview on Wednesday.
She said the DepEd central office has directed them to also make the necessary arrangements for the mandatory and full-on face-to-face learning modality in primary schools starting November 2.
From August 22 to October 31, primary schools have the option to hold in-person classes daily or classes in a blended mode– a mix of face-to-face and distance learning.
Cariño said they might give Covid-19 vaccination in big schools if parents request for them.
“If necessary in selected schools with big enrollment [and] if requested by the parents, we will have vaccination services,” she said.
Based on DepEd-CAR records, as of June 15, a total of 20,329 employees have received the full dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, with only 551 still unvaccinated or 2.64 percent of the total workforce.
Vaccination rates of DepEd employees in Benguet and Ifugao are at 95.41 percent and 95.58 percent, respectively. At least 5,880 teachers have their booster shots.
As for the learners, their parents still have the final say on whether or not to have their children vaccinated. (PNA)
