The Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Antique has recommended two schools in the province for the limited face-to-face (F2F) learning due to the absence of coronavirus virus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in their areas.

The Igsoro Integrated School offering Kindergarten to Grade 8 in the municipality of Bugasong and the Mayabay Elementary School in Barbaza with Kindergarten to Grade 6 have approval from their respective local government units (LGUs) for the limited face-to-face learning.

“The mayors of Bugasong and Barbaza towns had approved the holding of the limited face-to-face learning that’s why we were able to recommend the two schools,” said Superintendent Felisa Beriong in an interview Tuesday.

The two schools are located in remote areas and have no confirmed cases of the coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19).

“We are waiting until now for the approval of the DepEd Regional Office 6 for us to hold limited face-to-face classes,” she said.

Meanwhile, Beriong said that she will collaborate with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Antique provincial office for the possible hiring of para-teachers for this school year.

“The para-teachers have been a big help for us for they were our learning facilitators,” she said.

Last year, the DOLE through its Government Internship Program (GIP) hired 728 para-teachers to help learners, particularly those struggling with their modular classes by conducting house-to-house tutorial.

As of Sept. 13, 2021, DepEd Antique has officially enrolled 9,003 kindergarten learners, 54,572 elementary, 43,807 junior high school, and 19,228 senior high school learners.

DepEd-Antique continues to accept enrollees until Sept. 30 in compliance with Memorandum Order 038, series of 2021 dated Sept. 15, signed by Education Secretary Leonor Briones for the extension of the enrollment period. (PNA)