The Department of Education (DepEd) has included 18 schools in Eastern Visayas for the pilot limited face-to-face classes in the region.

The DepEd regional office on Tuesday expressed optimism that face-to-face classes will push through in the region after President Rodrigo Duterte has given the go-signal to allow children to attend physical classes in selected sites.

Of the 18 schools, five are in Samar province, three in Southern Leyte, four in Calbayog City in Samar, and six in Leyte province.

The DepEd declined to name the specific towns and schools included on the list.

Jasmin Calzita, DepEd regional information officer, said communities near these pilot campuses have zero or few cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and are classified as low-risk areas.

Selected schools are also ready to comply with minimum health standards for face-to-face learning.

“We are still waiting for final approval of our central office. These schools are located in minimal risk areas and supported by local government. Participating schools must have the written support and consent of parents of students who will participate in the pilot,” Calzita said.

The pilot classes will be held with a combination of face-to-face and distance learning modalities for two months, DepEd official said.

Face-to-face classes will be held for four hours every other week.

Participating schools must ensure that class schedules are arranged equitably to allow all qualified learners to attend face-to-face classes.

The operational guidelines on the pilot of face-to-face learning provide health and safety standards in terms of personal protective equipment, sanitation, detection and referral, ventilation, contact tracing, quarantine, coordination, and contingency measures.

Nationwide, the DepEd has listed 100 public schools and 20 private schools in the pilot of face-to-face learning. (PNA)