Teachers not to blame for errors in self-learning modules

The Department of Education (DepEd) earlier said that it listed 34 errors in the self-learning modules (SLMs). However, Diosdado San Antonio, Education Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction said that the SLMs being used in schools are made by different entities. Only 1 was reviewed by the department’s central office, 18 from DepEd’s field unit and15 from unidentified sources.

Photo credit: mb.com.ph

Senator Ana Theresia Hontiveros said that the lack of preparation and rushed school opening were to blame for the errors and not the teachers’ fault. She issued the statement as she defended the teachers.

It is highly unfair to blame the teachers for the errors in the modules,

Hontiveros said.

This only showed that the system was not 100-percent ready when the school opened [on October 5]. This was a sign that schools lacked preparation.

Hontiveros is asking DepEd to form a technical working group of master teachers and experts, who will efficiently design, craft, vet and screen learning modules. Creating a panel will lessen the tasks of teachers already dealing with heavy teaching task.

Hontiveros also called on the department to hire more teachers.

“We need human resources to fulfill the promise of quality education especially now that there is a pandemic. We need proofreaders, we need people who can help improve our learning materials,” she said. “We need more teachers, and we need learning assistants for the parents who have no capacity to guide their children [in distance learning].”

In earlier reports, DepEd said that they are already considering hiring proofreaders.  The department also has launched "DepEd Error Watch" where the public can report errors found in its learning materials and TV episodes.

The public is urged to send their reports to the following:

• Email - errorwatch@deped.gov.ph
• Text and Viber - 0961-680533
• Facebook Messenger - DepEd Error Watch (@depederrorwatch)
• Workchat - DepEd Error Watch (https://deped.workplace.com/groups/616392985671470/)

Meanwhile, on Monday, the department noticed that some media users post the errors on modules for an ulterior motive. DepEd Undersecretary Alain Pascua said those who upload erroneous modules do it “not because they want DepEd to improve and correct the mistakes, but because they use it to garner [Facebook] likes, malign the agency and the national government.”