Department of Education Logo (PNA file photo) GENERAL SANTOS CITY - The Department of Education in Soccsksargen (DepEd-12) is preparing 258 schools for the "progressive expansion" of limited in-person classes in the region, an education official here said Monday. In a text message, Glenn Arellano Bisnar, DepEd-12 chief education supervisor of policy, planning, and research division, said they are ready to submit findings to the DepEd central office in Manila on the pilot phase of in-person classes from November 15 to December 17 last year. Under the pilot phase, 24 schools participating from Grade 1 to Grade 3 and senior high school were allowed to attend limited in-person classes. Currently, he noted that 258 schools in Soccsksargen are ready for the progressive expansion of face-to-face (F2F) classes starting this month. "As of Tuesday, there are 132 schools that confirmed to implement F2F classes, including nine from South Cotabato and four from Tacurong City," Bisnar said. He added that another six additional schools in South Cotabato have confirmed to be implementing F2F classes starting March 7. On March 14, he said six schools in Koronadal city will also be joining the limited in-person classes. The "progressive expansion" also covered private schools, institutions offering special education, and the alternative learning system, he said. Schools need to accomplish the DepEd's safety assessment tool and must get consent from the local government unit and students' parents before restarting classroom sessions. Bisnar said the DepEd -12 is constantly coordinating with the Department of Health (DOH) on the implementation of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) health protocols for F2F classes. In-person classes were halted in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, prompting Philippine schools to shift to a distance learning program that proved to be challenging for many educators and families in places where access to the internet and gadgets is low. Soccsksargen covers the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani; and also the cities of Kidapawan, Tacurong, Koronadal and General Santos. (PNA) }