OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES ON
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
LIMITED FACE TO FACE
LEARNING MODALITY
DepEd-DOH
Joint Memorandum Circular N0. 01, s. 2021
Scope
 The
policy provides guidance on the
mechanisms and standards on the
resumption of face to face classes.
 Covers
the roles and responsibilities of
stakeholders across governance levels to
ensure effective, efficient and safe
implementation
Policy statement
 The
joint Memorandum circular is established to guide
the safe implementation of the limited face to face
classes and to improve learning outcomes during the
COVID 19 pandemic. Specifically, it aimed to:
1.
Deliver quality basic education in a safe learning
environment to learners in low-to-minimal-risk areas;
2.
Address the teaching and learning gaps encountered in
the distance learning modalities; and
3.
Strengthen the school-community health and safety
support system for all children.
Operational Framework
Eligibility Requirements
1. Is
located in minimal risk areas based on the
criteria set by DOH;
2. Has
passed the school safety assessment using
the school safety assessment tool;
3. Has
expressed support from LGUs in the form of
a resolution or letter of support allowing them
to participate;
4. Has
secured expressed support from and consent
of parents of students who shall participate in
the reopening of face to face classes;
5. A
minimum of 5 learners in a class;
Requirement for Private School: Prior to RD’s approval



Submission of formal letter addressed to RD expressing:

Interest to implement limited F2F

Willingness to submit

a monthly report on lessons and recommendations during the pilot implementation and

A quarterly report for the expanded implementation
Attachment of the letter

Implementation plan of F2F classes

Class program & schedule

Health and safety protocols

Testing capacity and arrangements for all students and personnel attending school
Clear protocols for medical isolation, school re-closures and reopening in
the event of detected cases among students and school personnel
Teachers and Employees F2F Eligibility Requirements
 65
years old and below
 No
diagnosed comorbidities;
 PWDs,
pregnant and lactating(if services is
indispensable)
 Regardless
 Voluntary
of the vaccination status
for teachers & employees with
comorbidities
Learners

Voluntary participation with signed parents/guardian’s written consent

Only the learners within the city/municipality where the school/learning
center is located

Can walk going to school, or with regulated public transportation or with
available private transport

Without existing comorbidities

Participating schools shall prioritize learners according but not limited to:

Children who require childcare, such as those whose parents must work outside the
home, or who have no directly available and immediately responsible
adults/guardian at home

Learners heavily dependent on face to face learning interventions

Struggling learners

SHS students enrolled in TVL track requiring workshop equipment

Learners that are documented to affected by mental health concerns that maybe
eased by face to face classes
Parents shall be encouraged to be up-todate with the routine immunizations of
their young children such as but not limited
to poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella,
diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus
Safe Operations
1.
Preparation for school opening
1.
Setting up of WASH facilities & supplies, PPEs, health and safety
protocols, learning materials, class programs and human resource
requirements
2.
Involving the community in the school reopening to shape the
perceptions of risks and effectively respond to the health crises
3.
Adjusting class programs for Alternative Work Arrangements (AWA)
4.
Orienting teachers on possible changes of AWA
5.
Ensuring availability of teachers for face to face classes and
distance learning modalities
6.
Orienting learners, parents, teachers, non-teaching personnel,
external stakeholders and LGU of the eligibility of participation,
existing protocols, mechanisms and procedures needed in face to
face classes at least one week prior to the reopening of school
Safe Operations
1.The
school shall screened vaccination
records of children(routine immunizations)
to ensure the learners are protected
2.The
school conducts simulation activities
among school personnel regarding
protocols and routines to replicate and
discuss possible scenarios during the actual
face to face classes
3.Wearing
of well-fitted facemasks and PPE
especially in public and enclosed spaces
Classroom layout structure
 Physical
distancing of chairs and other
furniture
 1-2
meters apart for occupied seats; Not
seated to be marked “X”
Number of Learners per class
 Kindergarten:
max of 12 learners
 G1-3:
max of 16 learners
 G4-6:
max of 20 learners
 G7-10:
max of 20 learners
 G11-12:
 TVL
max of 20 learners
workshop & science Lab: max of 12 learners
If the classroom cannot comply the 1-2 meters
distance of seats, larger spaces may be used
e.g. gymnasium, school ground, or available
space in the community near the school.
Use of microphone and sound system is
possible.
 Increased
heating, ventilation and air
conditioning system s should be in working
order
 All
classrooms must have a functional
electric fans, windows, doors that are open
at all times
 Outdoor:
 Indoor:
maximize natural airflow
install appropriate ventilation
equipment
School traffic management

Designated Safe entrance and exits

Contact tracing procedures for those entering school premises

Drop-off and pick-up points shall be clearly identified and
marked

Only private vehicles or regulated public vehicles shall be
allowed to fetch the learners

Appropriate and accurate signages and markers in local
languages are in place

School map at the front gate

Designated waiting area with strict observance of minimum
health protocols

Filling in the form(name, address, contact number, date and
time of visit and purpose)
Protective measures, hygiene and sanitation
practices and respiratory etiquette

With proper and hygiene and sanitation facilities (DO 10, s. 2016)

Adequate water supply

Handwashing station/sink

Antibacterial soap

70% Isopropyl/ethyl alcohol

All with facemasks, toothbrush, toothpaste, bar soap

With Emergency health Kits,

PPEs for COVID 19 DRRM team members, security guards, health personnel,
maintenance, etc.

Surgical masks shall be stored at the school clinic and available at the school
entrances for symptomatic individuals, health care providers and learners
without facemasks

Individuals with symptoms recorded through the daily health checks
conducted by the teachers int eh classroom shall immediately be provided
with a facemask and brought to the school clinic for dedicated isolation area
for medical assessment testing and referral to appropriate authorities

With child-friendly information and education campaign materials on hygiene
practices and respiratory etiquette posted in common areas in local languages

Provides daily health monitoring tool for learners and school staff

Mobilizes school COVID 19 DRRM team
School disinfection, sanitation and waste
management (DOH Memorandum No. 2020-0157)
Proper
disposal of infectious wastes
Regular Disinfection or spraying
Available Thrash cans
Waste segregation and management
Approved Disinfectants preparation and
availability
Communication strategy
 Proactive
COVID 19 local hotline/help
desk or any similar mechanism
 Advisers
shall keep contact details of
parents/guardians (cp number, address,
etc.)
Contingency plan
 Prepare
Contingency plan for closing and
reopening the school in case of COVID 19
resurgence
 Contents:
 Decision
points for school lockdown
 Distance
learning modalities during lockdown
 Strategies
for the reopening of school after lockdown
 Continuity
of learning while the school is closed
School lockdown and reopening

Depends on the assessment and decision of local IATF

When there is a suspect, probable or confirmed COVID-19 case

Dependent on community transmission and quarantine risk identified by IATF

Violations/instances of not complying with minimum public health standards

All learners shall revert to distance learning

Contact tracing by school management

School reopening after lockdown
requirements
 Completed
contact tracing
 Completed
disinfection activities
 14
days without confirmed cases in the school
 School
is located in areas with low to no
community transmission or minimal risk
 Conduct
of reorientation on current measures
Home-school coordination
 Coordinates
 ensures
 Daily
with the barangay
preventive alert system in school(PASS)
Physical presence of health personnel
 Orientation
on drop-off an pick-up points of
learners & safety precautions & preventive
measures
 Regular
Handwashing at home and in school
Class scheduling
Class
One straight week limited face to face classes
Class A
Half day (preferably morning) face to face classes in one
straight week
The other half day is allotted for distance learning
One straight week of pure distance learning
Class B
Other
notes
The classes shall alternately attend face to face classes
every week for the whole duration of the pilot
implementation
Class hours
 Half-day;
4.5 hours except for kindergarten
(max of 3 hrs) ; morning is preferred.
 Learning
1. Core
areas priority:
learning areas
2. Learning
areas that would need the use of
laboratory/workshop
3. Any
combination in which the school finds the
learners would need the most instructional
support
Ensuring teaching & learning delivery
 Sufficient
blended learning
 Maximizing
the use of resources and optimizing time for
learners’ engagement, collaboration, and socialization
while observing minimum health protocols
 Textbooks
as primary learning resource but to be
supplemented with SLMs and activity sheets
 Observe
academic ease (Memo OUCI-2020-307)
 Equitable
and fair teaching loads; max of 6 hours
teaching per day
 Closed
 In
monitoring of attendance
case learners cannot participate in face to face, they
are reverted to distance learning
Instructional Time
 Explicitly
teach the least
learned/mastered content & performance
standards
 Conduct
authentic classroom assessment
of learning
 Provide
 Group
remediation/intervention
work that requires physical
interaction is NOT allowed.
Teachers: After face to face lessons
 Consultation
with the parents/guardians
 Provision
of feedback and instructional support
for learners
 Checking
& preparing formative assessment
 Collaborating
WHLP
 Doing
with fellow teachers in preparing
other tasks
Provision of appropriate learning &
development assistance for teachers
Coaching
Mentoring
Training
SLAC
sessions
NO physical or face to face large gatherings
and activities that will require close contact
or where physical distancing may not be
possible (school activities, field trip, sports
festivals, flag ceremony, etc.)
Psycho-social support
 The
school shall provide psychological support
to the learners, teachers and parents.
 First
5 school days; first hour for
discussion/facilitation of modules related to
mental health, facilitated by their respective
class adviser or designated teachers.
Psycho-social support topics
 COVID
10 preventive measures, WASH, physical
distancing, etc.
 Validating
 Calming
and normalizing emotions
down and controlling one’s emotions
 Identifying
 Sources
 Other
and addressing needs
of strengths
relevant topics (social stigma, VAWC)
Roles of the school

Ensure the strict implementation of health and safety protocols during
face to face classes

Submit the result of school safety assessment to the SDO

Orient parents, community, barangay officials, stakeholders, etc. about
pilot face to face classes, process, standards, roles and responsibilities

Secure written support from LGU

Secure written consent from the parents/guardians

Develop contingency plan

Mobilize resources and support from the community stakeholders

Establish coordination mechanisms

Establish psycho-social support mechanisms to learners and school
personnel
For Other details and clarification,
Read DepEd-DOH
Joint Memorandum
Circular N0. 01, s. 2021
Keep safe everyone!