Some NCR schools
resumed face-to-face classes
By Creselda Canda-Lopez
Students needed outlets of co-curricular or extra-curricular activities to relieve “stress and anxieties” brought by COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Education (DepEd) said some elementary and high school students in Metro Manila returned to their classrooms on Wednesday as schools resumed in-person classes under Alert Level 2.
The Disiplina Village Bignay Elementary School in Valenzuela City welcomed back students as it started conducting pilot face-to-face classes.
The school resumed its face-to-face classes after the National Capital Region (NCR) was placed under Alert Level 2 from Feb. 1 to 15.
The Disiplina Village Bignay Elementary School has prepared classrooms for students in Kinder and Grades 1 to 3. At least 16 students per year level are allowed to participate in the pilot face-to-face classes.
Some students are still conducting online classes as part of “hybrid learning” in which only half of the class are attending in-person classes.
Teachers said school is planning to resume face-to-face classes for students in Grades 4 to 6.
Bureau of Learning Delivery (BLD) Director Leila Areola said co-curricular activities have proven to bring “positive impact” on well-being of students.
“Our learners need outlets through co-curricular or extra-curricular activities to ease their stress, tension, and anxieties brought by the health crisis…co-curricular activities have been proven to bring positive impact on the health and well-being of our learners,” Areola said in a statement.
The DepEd launched its first-ever Online National Festival of Talents (NFOT) from January 24 to 28, 2022, to highlight positive impact of co-curricular activities on the well-being of learners amid pandemic.
Areola said annual talent and skill showcase of the department was held virtually, adding it will make “more responsive and relevant to current health situation.”
This year’s NFOT featured regional submission of students’ video performances, including cooking, songwriting, singing, and playing instruments, dancing, speech exhibitions, among others.
“Conducting festival of talents creates opportunities for all types of learners, through guidance of coaches from public and private elementary and secondary schools, including ALS, to persevere, adapt, hope, and bounce back and find way to move forward,” Areola said.
“All co-curricular activities have been designed to divert their attention from pandemic… involvement in the said activities will help them become tougher and prevent mental health issues,” she concluded.
ISKUP! 