At least 62 schools in Eastern Visayas have been holding limited face-to-face classes as of this week, the Department of Education regional office here reported on Tuesday.

Of the 62 schools, 11 have resumed in-person learning on November 15, nine campuses on December 6, another nine on February 7, and 33 on February 14, said DepEd Eastern Visayas regional information officer Jasmin Calzita.

“School openings in these campuses went smoothly with the support of the community, local government units, government agencies, and other stakeholders. The parents and learners expressed their full support in the expansion of the limited face-to-face classes,” Calzita said in a message sent to reporters.

The education department has already listed 434 schools in the entire region for the progressive expansion of limited face-to-face classes.

These include four in Baybay City in Leyte, six in Biliran province, 12 in Borongan City in Eastern Samar, 85 in Calbayog City in Samar, eight in Catbalogan City in Samar, 143 in Eastern Samar province, 18 in Leyte province, 33 in Maasin City in Southern Leyte, six in Northern Samar province, seven in Ormoc City in Leyte, 63 in Samar province, three in Southern Leyte province, and 46 in Tacloban City, Leyte.

In the “Interim Guidelines on the Expansion of Limited Face-to-Face Classes” issued on February 1, expansion schools must pass the standards of the School Safety Assessment Tool, be in areas under Alert Levels 1 and 2, obtain the local government unit’s concurrence and written consent of participants’ parents, and coordinate with respective barangays for the implementation.

All cities and provinces in Eastern Visayas will be under Alert Level 2 from February 16 to 28.

From February 1 to 15, only the provinces of Biliran and Southern Leyte are under Alert Level 2. The rest are under Alert Level 3. (PNA)