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Back to school: Guide to start of classes, return of full in-person learning

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Students observe safety protocol  ABS-CBN News/File" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/news/03/18/20211206-face-to-face-class-taguig-_011935390.jpg"/><figcaption>Students observe safety protocol inside the Ricardo P Cruz St. Elementary School in Taguig City, during the first day of the pilot face-to-face classes in the National Capital Region on Dec. 6, 2021. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — Last week, the Department of Education (DepEd) issued the calendar for School Year 2022 to 2023, scheduled to open on Aug. 22.</p><p>DepEd Order No. 34, which contained the calendar, also mandates all public and private schools in basic education to shift to in-person classes by November, bringing back the old learning setup before the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p>Prior to this, the DepEd had been undertaking a gradual reopening of schools since November 2021, implementing blended learning that combines distance learning (studying from home via modules and online classes), and in-person classes with staggered schedules and limited classroom capacity.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/02/22/deped-allows-start-of-expanded-in-person-classes">DepEd starts &#x27;progressive expansion&#x27; of in-person classes</a></li></ul><p>Here is what you need to know about the upcoming school opening and return to full in-person classes, based on DepEd Order No. 34 and pronouncements from new officials.</p><div><strong>IMPORTANT DATES</strong></div><ul>	<li>July 25 - Aug. 22: Enrollment Period</li>	<li>Aug. 1-26: Brigada Eskwela</li>	<li>Aug. 15: Oplan Balik Eskwela command conference </li>	<li>Aug. 22: Start of SY 2022-2023</li>	<li>Aug. 22 - Nov. 5: First Academic Quarter</li>	<li>Nov. 7 - Feb. 3, 2023: Second Academic Quarter</li>	<li>Dec. 19: Start of Christmas Break</li>	<li>Jan. 4, 2023: Resumption of Classes</li>	<li>Feb. 6-10: Mid-year Break</li>	<li>Feb. 13 - April 28: Third Quarter</li>	<li>May 2 - July 7: Fourth Quarter</li>	<li>July 7: End of School Year</li>	<li>July 10 - 14: End of School Year Rites</li></ul><p>Private schools, state universities and colleges, and local universities and colleges offering basic education can &quot;deviate&quot; from the calendar as long as they start classes not earlier than the first Monday of June and not later than the last day of August.</p><p>When classes start on Aug. 22, schools can implement either pure distance learning, blended learning, or full (5 days per week) in-person classes.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/12/22/next-school-year-opens-on-august-22-deped">SY 2022-2023 begins Aug. 22, blended learning disallowed by Nov</a></li></ul><p>The first week of classes will be dedicated to providing &quot;psychosocial support&quot; to students to help them cope with the transition from distance or blended learning to in-person classes.</p><div><strong>FACE-TO-FACE CLASSES</strong></div><p>Distance or blended learning will only be allowed until Oct. 31. Starting Nov. 2, &quot;all public and private schools shall have transitioned to 5 days [per week] of in-person classes,&quot; according to the DepEd order.</p><p>The DepEd will still allow Alternative Delivery Modes which, based on a 2019 order, include homeschooling, modified in-school off-school approach, and night and open high schools.</p><p>Schools will no longer undergo inspection or submit &quot;any additional requirements&quot; in order to reopen for face-to-face classes.</p><p>In a press conference, Education Undersecretary Epimaco Densing said all schools must shift to full in-person classes, regardless of COVID-19 alert levels. </p><p>The DepEd has given schools the autonomy to decide on class sizes as long as physical distancing — a measure against the spread of COVID-19 — is followed in classrooms, said Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/14/22/no-class-size-set-for-full-in-person-classes-duterte">No prescribed class size for full in-person classes: Duterte</a></li></ul><p>Duterte also said wearing school uniforms would not be a &quot;strict requirement&quot; in public schools in the coming school year.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/18/22/duterte-uniform-not-a-strict-requirement-for-public-schools">Duterte: Wearing uniforms &#x27;not a strict requirement&#x27; for public schools</a></li></ul><div><strong>COVID-19 GUIDELINES</strong></div><p>The DepEd also enumerated guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 once in-person classes resume at full capacity.</p><ul>	<li>Face masks are required. Face shields may be used in school activities requiring the entire face to be visible. </li>	<li>Physical distancing</li>	<li>Classroom doors and windows shall be opened for ventilation. </li>	<li>Students and school personnel are prohibited from eating together while facing each other. </li>	<li>Students who show COVID-19 symptoms shall be excused from in-person classes and shift to distance learning, as long as they feel &quot;well enough&quot; to answer modules or participate in online classes. This excludes learners who are admitted to hospitals. </li>	<li>Schools are required to have an infection control plan and containment strategy in the event of the spread of COVID-19. </li>	<li>Schools shall not be held liable should any learner or personnel test positive for COVID-19. </li></ul><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2119442" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

Distance and blended learning will still be allowed at the start of SY 2022-2023, but schools must shift to 5 days of in-person classes by November.