The Pilot Implementation of Limited Face-to-Face Classes in Taguig

By: Glezel Gonzales

“For me, that’s good (implementing face-to-face classes) because I enjoy studying when face-to-face. Although online class is also good because I can take classes while I’m wandering, yet I'm not learning. However, when it comes to face-to-face classes, I am somehow gaining something”. - BSE Mathematics, Patrick Erguiza

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Taguig City Government said that schools are all set to implement the pilot face-to-face classes. Hence, on December 2, 2021 (Thursday), the Department of Education (DepEd) declared that 28 schools in the National Capital Region will commence face-to-face classes on December 6, 2021 including Ricardo P. Cruz, Sr. Elementary School (RPCES) as well as Sen. Renato “Companero” Cayetano Memorial Science and Technology High School (SRCCMSTHS) in Taguig City. The students were chosen for the pilot program after getting consent from their parents and from the Taguig City Government, Taguig City’s PIO said. Per the Department of Education (DepEd) guidelines, at least 15 Senior High School students are allowed to participate in the test run of face-to-face classes for approximately four and a half hours. At RPCES, at least 12 Kinder pupils and 16 students per grade level are permitted to participate face-to-face classes for about three hours. According to DepEd Usec. Nepumuceno Malaluan in his public briefing, the implementation of face-to-face classes went smoothly and they have not received any unpropitious report.

On the other hand, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) announced that Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s) would gradually be allowed to conduct limited face-to-face classes for all degree programs. Nonetheless, there are guidelines need to be followed according to CHED Chairman Prospero De Vera which includes; faculty members and students are fully vaccinated, maximum of 50% room capacity, approved by Local Government Unit (LGU) and retrofitting of facilities to be used for limited-face-to-face classes as inspected and authorized by CHED. In line with this announcement, some college students responded that they agreed in implementing face-to-face classes since they need to socialize with other people based upon their chosen course/program.

“I’m okay with the plan of conducting face-to-face classes, especially for us, the tourism students, we need to socialize with other people and explore the world”. - BS Tourism Management, Mary Sweet Solano, and they are happy because they waited for it for a long time but at the same time, they are worried.

“I’m happy because I’ve been waiting for a long time to have face-to-face classes especially we’re in college, so it’s better to have face-to-face classes but I’m also worried because another variant is spreading so I also thought that it would be better to have online class for the meantime as long as it’s not necessary to have face-to-face classes”. - BSE Mathematics, Rafaella Prado.

As of now, there are no Universities and Colleges in the City of Taguig proclaiming that they will implement face-to-face classes. Nevertheless, Professor Monemar Velez, College Instructor at Taguig City University said, "As of the moment, TCU has no directives yet about the face-to-face guidelines and procedures. But rest assured that it will be processed". He added that there is a high possibility that TCU will conduct face-to-face classes since other schools in Taguig are already having their face-to-face classes and it is a matter of time for TCU to do the same. Regarding the guidelines that students need to follow in order to get involved in the face-to-face classes, Prof. Velez said, "I'm not very familiar with the exact details but technically, students must be vaccinated and with the consent of the parents to be allowed for face to face classes."

In this time, most of the students are hoping that traditional learning instruction will return in view of the fact that they will be able to focus more profoundly on their studies since there will be fewer distractions than if they were at home, and they will also feel more at ease and learn quickly because they are familiar with traditional learning. Thus, let's keep ourselves safe from this global crisis in order to gradually regain our old lives.