SIX Baguio elementary and secondary schools have cleared the steps for face-to-face classes in March, following inspections and assessment procedures.
Sto. Tomas National High School, Mil-an Senior High School, Sto Tomas Elementary School, Gibraltar Elementary School, Spring Hills Elementary School, Tabora Elementary School, and Happy Hallow Elementary School are now just awaiting Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong’s approval of forwarded barangay resolutions from each of the schools’ resident barangays to be allowed a return to face-to-face classes.
Teams from the City Health Services Office (CHSO), City Engineers’ Office (CEO), City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and other city offices inspected the said six schools to check for compliance with Department of Education (Dep-Ed) Memorandum (DM 071-2022), which prescribes various safety provisions necessary for schools wishing to reopen to face-to-face classes.
The memorandum prescribes a need for safety measures such as designated entrances and exits to avoid crowding, markings, air control and ventilation, bins, space for physical distancing, provision of sanitizers, thermometers or scanners, and contact tracing facilities.
It also requires the establishment of a safety officer position whose task is to ensure compliance with health and safety measures, as well as the proper training of teachers and other school staff for said measures.
The memo also provides for a return to distance learning should cases be resurgent in the select schools, in case measures put in the schools for disinfection be found lacking.
Saint Louis University and University of Baguio have also submitted their respective applications to conduct face-to-face classes for non-medical courses, with target dates on March 7.
