The Department of Education (DepEd) has confirmed that only 18 out of 20 private schools pushed through with the implementation of limited face-to-face classes on Monday.

In a video message to reporters, the DepEd Bureau of Curriculum Development Director Jocelyn Andaya said the Singapore School Clark and Xavier University Senior High School had to defer their in-person classes “due to their academic calendars”.

Andaya visited two private schools in Central Luzon that participated in the pilot run of face-to-face classes.

She said the schools were prepared for the opening of classes and showed how cooperation between the local government and schools should go for the safe implementation of limited in-person classes.

She also explained all the participating private schools have undergone the same School Safety Assessment and Validation as that of the public schools that opened their classes on November 15.

The 18 private schools that pushed through with the pilot run include 100 Islands Cowboy Christian Learning Center and Our Saviour’s Foundation (Region 1); Mother of Good Counsel Seminary and Academica de Meridien (Region 3); St. Anthony’s College, Oxmont Memorial Academy, Gamot Cogon Waldorf School Inc. (Region 6); Sisters of Mary Schools Inc. – Boystown, Notre Dame of Abuyog (SHS – TVL track), and Mt. Moriah Christian Academy (Region 7); Metro Dipolog Baptist Academy, Deor & Dune Academe of Technology (SHS – TVL track), and St. Paul’s Institute of Technology (SHS – TVL track), (Region 9); Ato Padada Christian School, BEST College of Polomolok (SHS- TVL track), Banga Evangelical Church Elementary School, Inc., Midsayap Montessori Centre, and New Moriah Adventist ES (Region 11). (PNA)