Periodical tests noncompulsory for private schools - DepEd

Earlier, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced that for this year there would no periodical exam for the learners to avoid distance cheating. The department clarified that the proposed ‘no periodical test policy’ is not mandatory for schools under the private education system.

In private schools, as what we normally do, we strongly encourage them but it is never prescriptive for them,

DepEd Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado San Antonio said during the Handang Isip, Handa Bukas virtual press briefing.

Photo credit: parentmap.com

The department made the clarification after the statement of Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) mentioned that the no periodical exams policy in DepEd should not be made to apply mandatorily to the private school system.

COCOPEA serves as the voice of various private education in the Philippines. It composes of more than 2,500 educational institutions in the country.

DepEd’s decision to do away with periodic tests is as a response to extraordinary conditions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Also, according to the department, there is a possibility that parents or guardians of the students will answer the tests now that they are at home. Other activities that are more effective compared to pen and paper examinations may be used.

This summative and performance tasks could be delivered in various ways though we acknowledge the importance of periodic tests as a gauge of students’ learnings the current condition needs us to be more creative and flexible in implementing summative assessment scheme,

DepEd Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio pointed out.

Despite the absence of periodical tests, San Antonio assured that students will still undergo other types of assessments. 

Regardless of the modality in distance learning, there will be assessment for students,

This school year, San Antonio said portfolio assessments based on what is required of the students in different learning areas will be used to evaluate their academic performance. Even before the pandemic, San Antonio said that alternative assessments were already in place. 

Meanwhile, the Education department is preparing the interim guidelines regarding the assessment on students. It is expected to be issued in the next few days.

DepEd is encouraging parents to let their children answer the learning modules or activities given to them even if there is no periodical exam since it is the way for the children to learn.