As the enhanced community quarantine due to COVID-19 continues, the Department of Education says that they are looking into alternative learning settings which include utilizing information communication technology (ICT) platforms such as television and radio.
During an interview aired on DZMM, Education undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan said that the nearing opening of the next school year might not necessarily require students to be physically present in school for the meantime.
“Tinitingnan namin na maaaring magkaroon ng pagkakaiba-iba sa iba’t-ibang lugar ng Pilipinas. May ibang mga lugar na mas maaaring maging maluwag ang movement ng mga tao. May mga lugar naman na hindi posible ang classroom-based instructions. Tinitingnan natin ang ICT platforms saka ang telebisyon at saka radyo,” said Malaluan.
Despite these alternatives already being looked into, there are no further statements yet on the possible guidelines that schools must observe in tracking the progress of students or ensuring that they are still following the lessons delivered via ICT platforms.
“Sa batas ay binibigyan tayo hanggang sa dulo ng Agosto upang mamili kung kailan bubuksan ang school year. Ayan ay pinag-aaralan,” he added, noting that first week of classes were supposed to start in the first week of June.
Currently, DepEd is discussing a learning continuity plan which will outline the steps they will take in case the enhanced community quarantine continues. Concrete steps are aimed to be presented to the COVID-19 government task force by the first week of May.
[READ: DepEd to roll out ‘continuity learning plan’ in a month, decide on school opening date]
Among the main points of discussion for the contingency plan is whether to delay class opening from June to a later date. In line with this, DepEd is conducting a survey asking students, parents and teachers to provide their input which will be incorporated in making policies and decisions regarding the opening of classes for School Year 2020-2021.
Header photo by Lyn Rillon for Inquirer.net
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Writer: YANN MAGCAMIT
