Guv says he has no strong objection re face-to-face classes pilot testing 

Gov. Arthur Yap says he has no strong objection about the plan of the Department of Education (DepEd) to pilot test face-to-face classes by next month.

This was the reaction of the governor when asked about his stand regarding the DepEd’s plan in line with the pilot testing of face-to-face classes. Bohol has been identified as one of the areas where the face-to-face classes will be pilot tested.

He made the statement on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 at the Capitol, during the regular press conference.

A governor’s certificate of support is one of the requirements needed by the DepEd to allow a school that has been included in the pilot testing to conduct a face-to-face classes.

Moreover, the governor added that he is also going to consult the medical cluster of the Bohol Inter Agency Task Force (BIATF) about the plan of the DepEd.

However, the governor expressed that he has no strong objection to the plan upon learning that around six (6) schools in the province will be included in the pilot testing.

According to reports that the DepEd in Bohol that it submitted a list of schools to the regional office but there is no final decision on which schools will be included in the pilot testing.

It was further reported that the DepEd here is looking to include six (6) schools in the list. The schools are yet to be identified pending the final decision coming from the higher authorities of the education department.

DepEd Bohol schools superintendent Dr. Bianito Dagatan said in a report that the officials of the schools that will be included in the pilot testing need to submit a parents teacher association resolution agreeing to the pilot testing, barangay certifications, certification of support from the mayor’s office, and parents’ consent before the school can be allowed to conduct face-to-face classes, on top of the governor’s certification of support.

Reports added that the principal of a school that will be chosen to be included in the pilot testing shall issue a certification that the school is ready to follow the protocols complete with wash areas, thermal scanners, and availability of disinfectants.

Other students who will not be permitted to join the pilot testing of face-to-face classes shall continue with their studies using the blended learning modality, the DepEd official added.