THE Department of Education (DepEd) as an educational institution, the biggest bureaucracy in government formulates, implements, and coordinates policies, plans, programs, and projects in the areas of formal and non-formal basic education. Part of its mandate is to supervise all elementary and secondary education institutions, including alternative learning systems, both public and private. DepEd also provides for the establishment and maintenance of a complete, adequate, and integrated system of basic education relevant to the goals of national development.
The said tasks are done by DepEd during normal times and are still being done especially during these trying times.
In a related development of the information I have shared in this column last week, the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture has expressed its support to the DepEd in implementing academic ease measures to lessen the mental stress of Kinder to Grade 12 learners.
The press release from DepEd said that on Thursday, the House Committee approved House Bill (HB) 7961 to protect the mental health of K to 12 learners through scholastic leniency while amended House Resolution (HR) 1383 urging DepEd and the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) to adopt a pass or drop grading system.
Assistant Secretary for Curriculum and Instruction Alma Torio said in the panel that the provisions of HB 7961 and HR 1383 support the fundamental principles of DepEd BE-LCP specifically on protecting the health, safety, and well-being of learners, teachers, and personnel. She said that consistent with our BE-LCP, the Secretary had issued policies in relation to the implementation of multiple learning delivery modalities and the interim policy guidelines on grading and assessing our learners. The provisions in HB 7961 had already been integrated into our past and current issuances.
It was made clear in the said press release that DepEd will not adopt the pass or drop grading system as the Department sees that remedial classes are the solution for learners who are at risk of failing.
Torio emphasized again that the recommendation of the ExeCom, as well as the ManCom, is not to adopt the pass or drop grading system for our learners.
Furthermore, DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones noted that the Department’s priority is the safety and welfare of its stakeholders and the Department will continuously implement the academic ease measures.
Secretary Briones pointed out that the welfare of our teachers and learners remains to be DepEd’s priority and the department will ensure that School Year 2020-2021 will be bearable for all while still promoting effective learning engagement.
It was known that the recommendation not to adopt the pass or drop grading system was supported by House Committee Chairman Roman Romulo, and members Representative France Castro, Representative Sarah Elago, Representative Mark Go, Representative Gabriel Bordado Jr., as well as representatives from the private education sector.
Finally, the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture will amend the HB 7961 and HR 1383 into a house resolution adopting and passing scholastic leniency and academic ease for DepEd, Ched, and other educational institutions while leaving the authority for grading system to them.
With this development of the ongoing discussion on academic ease, this Corner hopes that whatever is the result will really be of great help to the learners, their parents and the teachers in the field.