Mendoza: Bracing the ‘new normal’

Mendoza: Bracing the ‘new normal’

IF YOU fail to plan, you are planning to fail.

The Learning Continuity Plan (LCP) of the Department of Education (DepEd) that was already approved by the National Inter-Agency Task Force (NIATF) is a manifestation that DepEd is serious in addressing the continuity of education amidst the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The LCP targeted August 24, 2020 as the opening of classes and to end on April 30, 2021.

A lot of negative reactions are found in the comment sections coming from the parents who may be believing that the opening of classes will involve the physical presence of the learners in school like what we used to be.

With this, Secretary Briones said she acknowledges the fears and apprehensions of our learners, parents, and teachers, that attending schools in August might still not be safe in light of Covid-19.

She similarly acknowledges the fears and apprehensions of our learners, parents, and teachers, that we might not be ready for distance learning, with issues about access to online platforms and the availability of gadgets.

But she assures everyone that the Department is working double-time to ready our system, at the central and field units, to deliver accessible and quality distance education.

Secretary Briones emphasized the modifications were needed in adapting to the “new normal” after the emergency crisis. She pointed out that the school opening would not necessarily mean teachers and students would be in the traditional in-classroom setup as there may be areas where this is not possible due to the lockdowns.

The DepEd chief further explained that local public health conditions would be given due consideration in determining the mode of education, even as DepEd officials raised the possibility of distance learning, such as the use of online platforms, television, radio, and printed materials.

She reiterated that in all probability, learning from home would be the “new normal” for the school year 2020-2021 to ensure the safety and continued education of the country’s more than 27 million learners.

In empathizing with the stakeholders especially the parents, the Secretary on behalf of the whole DepEd has said that as much as we regret this new normal forced on us by an unseen virus, we have to accept the fact that education won’t be the same after the pandemic passes. It’s not business as usual as we would like it to be.

On the other hand, while formal school opening is on August 24, there would be “pre-opening” activities that would be conducted as early as August 3. From August 3 to 15, students will be given assignments to explore foundational topics, as well as receive an orientation on the utilization of alternative modes of education and the use of learner materials.

The following week, from August 17 to 22, homeroom activities focusing on mental health and psychosocial activities will be conducted.

There will also be discussions on the characteristics and effects of the pandemic; orientation on precautionary and preventive measures such as water, sanitation and hygiene, and other topics related to Covid-19.

According to DepEd, the pre-opening activities are counted in the 203 class days that will constitute the upcoming school year.

Accordingly, there will also be a general assembly of stakeholders before the school opening to orient and generate proposals from parents, guardians, students, teachers, and other stakeholders regarding the upcoming academic year.

Lastly, it was mentioned in the press release that this shall be conducted through the most appropriate mechanism as determined by the school, such as teleconferencing or face-to-face activity.

This Corner hopes that as education leaders and personnel, we should be the ones who should provide our stakeholders what we in the department are doing to allay fears and anxieties of our teachers, learners and parents in times of pandemic. We cannot afford to delay the continuity of education because by continuing, we are trying to embrace the new normal that people around the world shall accept to have sans medicines and vaccines against Covid-19.

We have to live the life we have now. We need to work as one.

As Secretary Briones said, the safety and health of our learners and teachers are our top concerns. If the situation worsens and the IATF will halt the opening of classes, then we have no option but to follow. But how about if conditions get better and we have no plans, we did not prepare, can we say hastily to open classes without preparation, I doubt.

Again, if we fail to plan, we are planning to fail.

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