DepEd continues to conduct dry runs and simulations for blended learning

As the school opening is approaching, the Department of Education (DepEd) assured that dry-runs and simulations for blended or distance learning continues. DepEd Undersecretary Revsee said,

Most of the school divisions offices of respective regions have already conducted their respective dry runs and simulations.

Dry-runs and simulations for blended/distance learning are being conducted in various DepEd regional offices (ROs) and school division offices (SDOs) nationwide to prepare schools, teachers, and students for the School Year 2020-2021 opening.

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As of August 24 DepEd's data, over 100 school division offices have conducted their dry-runs and simulations and some are scheduled before October 5 class opening. 

Escobedo said that most of the schools are done but some are doing it again because of the lapses they encounter during the first dry-run. Also, some of the regional offices saw and identified much better practices as the dry-run in progress. For instance, in Region 10, the schools noted that the use of Electronic Learner Enrollment and Survey Form or E-LESF is helpful in tracking or monitoring their students. Escobedo said,

The E-LESF significantly provides for more efficient information dissemination and more accessible learners’ profile. And because of this, our teachers will not have a hard time developing the weekly home learning plan. 

Escobedo noted that there are also ROs and SDOs that continuously conduct dry-runs and simulations to fill possible issues or gaps when the school opening formally starts. 

Dry runs are being held at the school level to eliminate or minimize the issues during the past dry runs or address gaps and to observe the implementation of their newly-developed learning continuity plans and systems,

he explained. 

The dry-run conducted boosted the confidence of parents that their children will have opportunities to continuously learn through various learning modalities despite the pandemic. Parents witnessing the dry-run put them at ease which change their minds and decided to enroll their children. That is why in some regions number of enrollees increased. 

As of August 28, number of enrollees for the coming school year has reached 23.91 million in both public and private schools.