THE Department of Education (DepEd) admitted Saturday, October 3, that it is still conducting distribution of self-learning modules to students two days before the classes begin.

"Kung mayroon pa pong paghahanda na nangyayari, iyan po ay iyong last minute distribution noong ating self-learning modules sa ating mga anak na hindi po nila kinuha iyong kanilang modules sa ating mga paaralan," Education Undersecretary Tonisito Umali said in a Laging Handa briefing Saturday, October 3.

Umali said parents should pick up the learning materials and return the activity sheets to schools every one or two weeks.

"Kasi po ang ating distance learning modality nga po ay self-learning modules, kukuhanin ng mga magulang sa ating mga paaralan isang beses isang linggo o kada dalawang linggo at isasauli po nila iyong mga activity sheets na kukumpletuhin ng mga bata pagkatapos po ng isa o dalawang lingo -- online kung may access sa gadget at connectivity sa internet-based learning o kaya po ay radio and TV-based -- dahil halos lahat po ay self-learning modules ang inaasahan and that will also supplement maski online-based learning po sila," he added.

According to Umali, about 533,209,023 self-learning modules have already been distributed to students as of the third week of September.

"That is like 80 percent noong nasa ikatlo hanggang ika-apat na linggo ng Setyembre at ngayon naniniwala po tayo halos lahat na po ito ay naipamahagi na," Umali said.

In a press conference Saturday, October 3, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) said that several educators are still looking for ways to prepare and reproduce modules and other learning materials due to their inadequate supply.

"There’s no question about the President’s [Rodrigo Duterte] absolute lack of regard to education," ACT Secretary General Raymond Basilio said.

"This has been evident from years of poor budget allocation under his rule to the complete abandonment of this basic social service as it shifted to remote learning. Meanwhile, Secretary Briones who should have championed the interests of the sector also opted to fawn over the President at the expense of our welfare and rights," he added.

As of October 3, there are more than 24 million basic education students who have enrolled for the school year 2020 to 2021. Of this number, 22.5 million have been registered in public schools. (Jove Moya/SunStar Philippines)