Education in the 'new normal'

Remedios O. Lagman

The “new normal” has been characterized as actually an “abnormal” stage for people and all stakeholders because of the many new norms that have to be adapted to and changes that cannot be resisted as these entail a lot of risks.

In the academe, the Coronavirus pandemic has brought radical changes to the Philippine education system, particularly for public schools, where face-to-face class interaction is not, and perhaps for a long period, possible at this time, or until, as experts opine, a vaccine is available.

With “contact classes” definitely out of the picture until classes open on October 5 this year, the Department of Education (DepEd) has switched to “online mode” and “virtual system” or simple distance learning, with extensive preparations being done before classes start on October 5, 2020.

In distance learning, the DepEd will provide Self-Learning Modules (SLMs) with the alternative learning delivery modalities to be offered for various types of learners across the Philippines. The integration of SLMs with the alternative learning delivery modalities (modular, television-based, radio-based instruction, blended, and online) will help DepEd ensure that all learners have access to quality basic education for SY 2020-2021 with face-to-face classes still prohibited due to the public health situation.

SLMs will be delivered in printed format to schools that are located in coastal areas, far-flung provinces, and communities without access to the internet or electricity. For households with gadgets and devices, the Department has announced that SLMs can also be accessed online or offline.

SLMs will be integrated in video lessons, most especially for K to 3 learners who will require more auditory learning than other grade levels. SLMs and the other alternative learning delivery modalities are in place to address the needs, situations, and resources of each and every learner and will cover all the bases in ensuring that basic education will be accessible amid the present crisis posed by COVID-19

As support to the measure, the DepEd conducted an enrollment survey in Central Luzon which showed that 41% of parents prefer the modular approach for their children this School Year 2020-2021. About 27%, on the other hand, prefer online learning, 18% favor a combination of face-to-face with other modalities, 10% prefer television, 8% prefer other modalities, and 3% prefer radio-based learning.

And as a kick-off to distance learning, the DepEd had trained 300 Kindergarten teachers in Region III on “Exploring Teaching Approaches in Flexible and Blended Learning at the Kindergarten Classroom “conducted by the Curriculum and Learning Management Division.

The training, which was held in three batches, aimed to capacitate Kindergarten teachers to adopt various flexible teaching and learning approaches in the kindergarten education program; develop and employ strategies and instructional approaches for facilitating and organizing learning activities for kindergarten learners; and identify types of learning resources and their suitability and appropriateness based on the characteristics of kindergarten learners to fit their needs.

As the DepEd reiterated, more stakeholders in the academe are now being equipped for distance learning to ensure that the most essential learning competencies per grade level, per learning area and per quarter are achieved and maintain the quality of education for students.

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The author is from Dolores Elementary School, Hacienda Dolores, Porac, Pampanga