DepEd suggests recommended screentime for learners in online classes

The global outbreak of the highly contagious COVID-19 continues to pose unprecedented challenges. Department of Education (DepEd) decided to shift to distance/blended learning for this school year which will make use of different modalities. Online distance learning, radio and television-based instructions are among the choices.

With the use of computers, laptop and TV for learning, the Department of Education said that schools should consider the screen time guidelines by age recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization in their distance learning strategies.

In a Department Memorandum 2020-00162, “Suggested Strategies in Implementing Distance Learning Delivery Modalities for School Year 2020-2021”, it said that 

• Kindergarten pupils should have a maximum of one hour daily screen time
• Grades 1 to 5- maximum of 1.5 hours daily
• Grades 6 to 8- maximum of two hours
• Grades 9 to 12- a maximum of four hours daily (two hours in the morning and another two hours in the afternoon)

Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio said this strategy was suggested pending the “Policy Guidelines on the Implementation of Learning Delivery Modalities for Formal Education” that would be issued to schools which were closed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In Preparation of the Weekly Home Learning Plan and Class Programs, schools shall comply with the recommended screen time for learners,

the memo said.

A few weeks ago, Education Undersecretary Jesus Mateo said that online classes may be extended to about seven to eight hours because of the class opening adjustment. Following criticism from teachers group and parents after the announcement, DepEd clarified that it was merely a suggestion and not yet a policy.

The memo also said that, 

Online activities shall be complemented with locomotion, motor-sensory, and audio tools which will support subjects related to performing arts and clubs. Learners shall be provided with activity sheets and be given performance-based tasks to accomplish.

According to DepEd's survey in July, 3.8 million parents preferred online learning.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) stated that online class should be shorter than six to eight hours a day. Also, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that there should be physical activities for the students.