The Department of Education in Central Visayas (DepEd-7) has selected 12 schools that will be endorsed to participate in the limited face-to-face classes.

In a radio interview on Monday, DepEd-7 Director Salustiano Jimenez said the 12 institutions are preparing for health protocols and guidelines that must be imposed in coordination with the Department of Health.

Jimenez did not name the schools or the localities.

“Nothing has been finalized yet but we have to make sure that these schools come from the low-risk areas in the region,” Jimenez said in Cebuano.

President Rodrigo Duterte has approved limited face-to-face classes for 120 learning institutions in areas where Covid-19 cases and transmission are low.

Attendance is voluntary and must be approved by the parents or guardians.

The schools must also pass a readiness assessment.

The DepEd has yet to release the list of schools that will join the pilot run of twice-weekly half-day sessions. (PNA)