November 15, 2021 – The Department of Education (DepEd) welcomes our participating learners, teachers, and personnel in 100 public schools for the start of the pilot implementation of limited face-to-face classes today.

We are thankful to everyone who supported this key phase in our safe return to school advocacy, from the planning stage since 2020 to this monumental day. We are grateful to the assistance of the Department of Health (DOH), the IATF, child health experts, local government units, international and local partners, school personnel, parents, and other stakeholders for reinforcing our shared responsibility framework in this critical undertaking.

Most importantly, we are happy to see our learners inside our classrooms as we recognize the significance of face-to-face learning in their social development. In the coming weeks, more learners in public and private schools will follow suit as the President approved to increase the number of pilot participants.

As we take a huge step of reintroducing face-to-face classes amidst the public health situation, we are optimistic that our Bayanihan spirit will live on to ensure the safety of involved stakeholders and the success of this pilot run.

In this line, we appeal to the public to always follow the required health protocols and standards. With everyone’s help in improving our country’s COVID-19 situation, our vision to safely reopen more schools nationwide is not a far reality.

Together, let us mark this day as our leap of faith towards realizing Ligtas na Balik-Eskwela!

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