Education and Covid-19: Learning must continue
John Louie L. Balingit
The pandemic situation brought about the Covid-19 is affecting the lives of many students, families and community. The COVID-19 has affected the education system, parents and guardians are seeking for new adaptive learning methods to ensure their children to continue to learn, and remain safe and protected from COVID-19. Amid COVID-19 crisis, DEPED leaves the decision to parents to enroll their children or not in this coming school year 2020-2021.
In line with the concern of parents, the Department of Education releases the Learner Enrolment and Survey Form (LESF) to know what learning methods they would like to adapt in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Learning methods such as modular learning, media based instruction through TV, radio, and online platforms were included in the learning modalities that parents can choose.
Gadgets are running out of stock due to demand. Some parents are in debt just to buy a laptop/ smartphone for their children for online learning. Learning in the times of crisis doesn’t require students to have gadgets. In public schools, teachers are tasked to create SIPacks/modules that are based from the most essential learning competencies (MELC) set by the Department of Education. Parents from public schools prefer modular learning due to unavailability of gadgets and unstable internet connection. Teachers can also provide follow up support to parents and guardians in addressing the learning needs of children.
Children in vulnerable situations should also benefit from the new learning methods. These include children with disabilities, living in informal settlements, and those children living in hazardprone and conflict-affected areas.
Children have rights to access quality education even in times of emergencies such as the COVID-19. With a very challenging school year ahead DEPED assured that it will exhaust all possible means to ensure that no Filipino learner will be left behind.
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The author is Teacher I at Pampanga High School