DepED's Response to Covid 19 Pandemic

“Blended learning” is the Department of Education’s (DepEd) response to the COVID-19 pandemic where learners are educated at home using the Internet, printed modules or a combination of both. Television and radio stations will also be used to broadcast lessons.

Hearing blended learning seems like easy but as the school year opening is nearing many problems arises and many questions are left unanswered.

Eleazardo Kasilag, president of the Federation of Associations of Private Schools and Administrators or FAPSA, warned that the school year may be “very chaotic, a catastrophe” as many parents, teachers and students in public schools and some private schools are not ready for “blended learning”.

“You have to know how to operate a tablet, laptop or smartphone. But many students are going to use these newly procured or donated gadgets for the first time. They may not know how? Who will troubleshoot if the gadget malfunctions? The curriculum needs to be installed in the gadget, that’s one problem. It’s another problem if the student inadvertently deletes it." Kasilag said.

Kasilag said other students might be very excited about the new gadgets and use it for playing games. “If the battery conks out by the time class begins, they could miss an entire session. We haven’t even started talking about Internet access and speed, if the teachers are sufficiently equipped and trained, if the parents are educated or tech savvy,” he said.

Kasilag's family owns a school that began tablet education in 2012, said he is speaking from experience. “Our first year was the worst year. At the time, we were new to it so we didn’t know how to address the problems. Some students left and moved to public schools. Some teachers also left us. Marami talagang problema (There were a lot of problems).”

DepEd Undersecretary for Planning Jesus Mateo agrees that the supervision of students is important. “This is why we are looking at tapping retired professionals or teachers who have not yet been hired to become tutors.” Mr. Mateo said. They are in discussions with the Department of Budget and Management and the Department of Interior and Local Government to revise the guidelines of the Special Education Fund to expand its use to hiring would-be tutors.

This statement of Mr. Mateo earns a lot of reactions from the netizens. Some says, why involve retired professionals when most of retired teachers are senior citizens which are high risk of being infected. Others asked if we could just let this pandemic pass first before we can start schooling, it is way better rather than passing students which maybe unprepared for the next grade.

Over 13.2 million have already enrolled in public and private schools as of June 22. A bill that would empower the President to set class opening after August is now awaiting his signature.

Untill now, it is still unclear if DepEd would even consider proposing postponement of opening of classes to our President.