Blended learning seen in Cordillera

FOR the continuity of education in the highlands, the Department of Education (DepEd) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is looking into blended learning for students.

Blended learning is an approach that combines face-to-face and distance learning -- modular materials brought to the learners, interaction online, and a TV and radio-based instruction.

"What we are looking for in CAR is blended learning, the combination of face-to-face and distance learning. But that really depends on the health situation of the different communities. For far-flung areas not reached by Covid-19, face-to-face can be possible, however it could be staggered/scheduled. It will depend on the approach of the schools," said Georaloy Palao-ay, public affairs officer of DepEd-Cordillera.

Palao-ay added that DepEd came up with the Learning Continuity Plan, a framework of the different approaches for the education of students to continue despite the coronavirus disease.

"Education is an essential activity. It is something that has to go on. Our President agrees, our Secretary agrees that is why we come up with our learning continuity plan, a framework of our different approaches by the department for education to persist despite the global health emergency. We have to accept that this is the new normal. These approaches are not something new. A big challenge for the department, we hope that we'll be able to be successful in this endeavor with the help of stakeholders and partners," he added.

Palao-ay said the first priority for the learning plan is the health of personnel and all schools that must meet the required safety standards amid the Covid-19 crisis.

The support of parents and guardians in the delivery of the new adaptive learning methods to learn amid Covid-19 is also being sought.

"Parents and learners, it is an opportunity for us to instill resiliency. We must see this situation as an opportunity for our learners to be capacitated on how to overcome adversities," he added.

Section 3 of Republic Act 7797 (1994) states the school year will start on the first Monday of June but not later than the last day of August.

In an earlier survey for teachers and learners conducted nationwide, the majority of the participants chose August 24.

Enrollment period, which started June 1 in the region, the Public Affairs Officer added there would be no face to face enrollment for the first two weeks.

Directives were given to the different field offices against face-to-face enrollment for the first two weeks and would use a remote enrollment, online, messenger, links, or google sheets prepared by schools.

"For the third and fourth week of enrollment, physical enrollment, depending on the situation in their community and barangay where they belong to. If the parents are not yet allowed to travel, the schools can come up with kiosks in barangay halls," Palao-ay added.

The DepEd official stated there had also been inquiries from private schools for the start of classes this month adding it is important for schools to inform DepEd there would be no face to face learning allowed until August.

For the June enrollment, aside from the enrollment form is a survey has been conducted by the agency which includes questions to the availability of materials, equipment, gadgets in-home, radio, television, cellphone, modules and preference of parents.

Learner survey forms can be placed in establishments such as stores and areas requested by the parents, the information is needed to come up with a comprehensive plan once classes start on August 24.

According to Palao-ay, in the past school year, there are 400,000 Kinder to Grade 12 students in the Cordillera region both from public and private schools, saying the department is expecting a decrease considering apprehension of parents.

For teachers, the agency together with its partners conducted training for learning approaches to teachers for the new normal amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

"DepEd is preparing for the training of the teachers. It's good that stakeholders decided August 24 opening to give way for teachers and DepEd for opening. We are urging our teachers to be open-minded and accepting when it comes to this new normal," Palao-ay said.

Aside from various approaches to learning in the time of Covid-19, part of the learning approach is homeschooling.

He added DepEd-Cordillera has been receiving inquiries on the homeschooling citing the education department would be coming up with a directive on the conduct of home schooling and regulations to be followed.

Classes were halted on March 13, before the start of the community quarantine. The national government also canceled graduation ceremonies as a precautionary measure against the infection of the virus.

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