EDUCATION Secretary Vice President Sara Duterte said on Thursday, July 14, 2022, that they will not set a limit on the number of students allowed in a class during the conduct of face-to-face classes.Duterte said, though, that schools are required to ensure the maintenance of minimum health protocols among their students, teachers and staff, particularly the wearing of face masks and the observance of physical distancing.She said the DepEd has also set a guideline about eating especially in groups when the space in the school is limited.“Hindi po kami naglagay ng exact size ng class dahil iba-iba po ‘yung situation ng lahat ng mga schools natin. There are no schools na pare-pareho sila exactly sa kanilang classrooms and sa kanilang teachers,” she said in an interview with reporters.“Ang inilagay natin doon at in-approve din ng Pangulo during the Cabinet meeting is that physical distancing shall be implemented whenever possible…Naglagay lang din po kami doon ng guide about eating dahil ito po yung isa sa mga instances na nagtatanggal tayo ng mask, na eating together should be prohibited and kung limited yung spaces doon sa loob ng eskwelahan,” she added.The DepEd earlier issued an order prohibiting the conduct of blended learning starting on November 2, 2022.The order states that by the said date, all public and private schools should have transitioned to the conduct of face-to-face classes five days per week.The DepEd set the opening of School Year 2022-2023 on August 222. It will end on July 7, 2023. (SunStar Philippines)