PH Schools Formally Starts F2F Classes for SY 2022-2023

After more than two years of shuttered classrooms brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the academic year 2022-2023 has officially opened today, Aug.22.

Around 27.6 million students enrolled last Aug. 19, with the enrollment target of 28.6 million expected to be reached today due to late enrollees, according to the Department of Education (DepEd) in a report from the Manila Times Times today.

Forty-six percent or 24,000 public and private schools nationwide will implement face-to-face (F2F) classes, while the remaining 51.8% or 29,721 schools will adopt the blended learning system from August to October, as per DepEd data via CNN Philippines today. Several schools are still in the process of rebuilding classrooms that were destroyed by natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons. All schools will transition to full F2F classes by Nov. 2 as mandated by DepEd.

At the same time, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte attended the National School Opening Program at the Dinalupihan Elementary School. Teachers properly guided the children as they entered their respective classrooms while ensuring compliance with health and safety protocols by wearing facemasks, taking body temperature, and following social distancing rules.

DepEd also rolled out the “no discrimination policy,” allowing students and school staff to attend in-person classes whether or not they have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Alongside the resumption of F2F classes across the country is the significant increase in mobility of vehicles and the public. To help reduce traffic in Metro Manila, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) resumed its number-coding or the odd-even plate number ban and implemented an expanded coding scheme from 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM from Monday to Friday (except holidays).

For more information and questions related to enrollment, you may check out DepEd Order No. 35 or contact DepEd Public Assistance Command Center via phone, SMS, or send an email to [email protected].