Officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) regional office here visited on Tuesday some island and mountain schools in Zambales to prepare for the eventual holding of face-to-face classes once allowed by President Rodrigo Duterte.

DepEd Regional Director May Batenga Eclar, together with some other officials, inspected six elementary and high schools in the towns of Masinloc and Sta. Cruz to determine the facilities’ capabilities to conduct face-to-face classes.

Although the plan for face-to-face classes is still being studied, Eclar said she wants to ensure that the 41 schools recommended by the Division of Zambales can safely deliver quality education to the students amid the continuing threat of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

She cited the necessity to make early preparations to ensure the safety of teachers and students.

The preparatory activities the DepEd official recommended include the implementation plans for the schedule, activities, and process flow of face-to-face classes.

Eclar also took the opportunity to thank the local government partners of the schools for their support in the realization of their targets in the implementation of the basic learning continuity plan.

Dr. Librada Rubio, chief of the Curriculum and Learning Management Division (CLMD) in the region, encouraged teaching personnel in Zambales to explore other learning modalities such as radio based-instruction, video-based lessons, and digitized materials which are being implemented by other school divisions in Central Luzon amid the prevailing pandemic. (PNA)