THE Department of Education (DepEd) Division of Pampanga is ready for the opening of classes on August 24 amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

Pampanga Schools Division Superintendent Zenia Mostoles assured that while they are preparing for the opening of classes, they continue to keep their facilities healthy for both teachers and learners.

"As we prepare for the opening of classes, we ensure that we take care of the health of our students, teachers, and schools. We have many health protocols in place that we will continuously implement under this new normal in our education system," Mostoles said.

Among these is the disinfection of school buildings and classrooms.

As of August 5, a total of 303,272 students enrolled in public and private schools in Pampanga's 19 towns. This is 79 percent of the total of those who enrolled last school year.

Mostoles said they are hopeful that the number of enrollees will still increase until the opening of classes.

"We have the complete records of our enrollment last year. Right now, our schools are working to find who among those in our record last year have not yet enrolled so we can follow up with them. We are preparing for 100 percent of our students as of last year," Mostoles said.

The DepEd official also assured that learning modules for the first two weeks of classes are ready.

"Our schools almost completed 100 percent printing of modules for the first two weeks of classes. We have also started procurement activities for the succeeding weeks. Hopefully, these will be delivered to our schools before the end of August," Mostoles said.

She added that as part of the preparations for the upcoming opening of classes, teachers have completed their dry runs on modular instruction in remote areas of the province, including upland and coastal areas.

"Currently, dry runs in all learning areas at all grade levels in all schools are ongoing as a form of class organization. This is to prepare both teachers and students, as well as parents, to ensure smooth flow of classes come August 24," she said.

Teachers are also capacitated on the new modes of instructions, through various webinars.

Aside from modular learning, Mostoles said the province will also implement television-based instruction for students in all grade levels. (PIA)