Learning for children in the midst of the pandemic

Stakeholdres in the academic community have joined hands to see to it that children in all grade levels will continue their learning in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic and the absence of face-to-face class interaction. In fact, the Department of Education (DepEd) has ensured the continuity of education, like in Central Luzon, by adopting measures that will suit all learners and educators in the region.

As an initial step, the DepEd-3 has crafted its Learning Continuity Plan for School Year 2020-2021 in response to the challenges of delivering basic education services to meet the requirements of learners and teachers sans faceto-face learning and physical classroom instruction.

The said plan is designed to set strategic directions to public and private schools in Central Luzon to ensure that school children and adult learners acquire the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs) in the midst of pandemic.

The DepEd will pursue the delivery of an accessible, relevant, responsive and inclusive education in all levels which includes the formal system, Alternative Learning System (ALS) and Indigenous People Education (IPEd) through its Learning Continuity Framework that aims to ensure the readiness of the school; determine the most appropriate teaching-learning modalities to develop the most essential learning competencies among learners; provide policy guidelines to Schools Division Offices (SDOs) in the implementation and monitoring of teaching-learning modalities (School-based and Remote Learning); provide transition program for CID and SGOD Chiefs, Education Supervisors, Public Schools District Supervisors, School Heads, and teachers on the adapted teaching-learning modalities; ensure safe and healthy school environment; and establish partnership with stakeholders in education. The said plan also enumerates possible teaching-learning modalities that can be adapted by schools based on the various risk analyses and resource requirements.

Additionally, in this time of crisis that has affected even the education system in the Philippines and in the whole world for that matter, the DepEd Region III Office continues to initiate measures to meet the challenges and requirements of learners amid the Covid-19 pandemic, by launching innovative programs in partnership with the private sector.

One of these is "TeleSkwela," a pilot TV-based learning program and an “edutainment” which is a combination of educational content showcasing the Most Essential Learning Competencies issued by the Central Office and localized by the teachers in the Division, utilizing entertaining stories, games, music and images.

The lessons for this TV show, which will be aired on CLTV36, are based on the teacher-made detailed lesson plans transformed into modules or selflearning packets anchored on the most essential learning competencies per grade level, per learning area and per quarter. The focus of all the TeleSkwela episodes will cover early literacy, numeracy, life skills and essential values each young learner must acquire. Select competent teachers will act as video lecturers and demonstration teachers.

Another which will air soon on CLTV36 also, is the "Aplabasa," a Filipino language-based reading program developed by educator Tisha Gonzales-Cruz which started in 2002 . It is a partnership with a private company " under Republic Act 8525 or the "Adopt- A- School Act of 1998."

The program aims to make children fluent readers in Filipino by means of a game-based system using carefully designed flash cards and books to break down reading as skills. This establishes a link between sound and actions, rather than symbols or letters that have been the chief limitation of previous teaching methods since children learn to read by breaking down a set of sounds and connecting them to print.

"Alpabasa" will specifically provide supplementary and complementary online materials for Kindergarten learners in this time of pandemic; empower and energize children to learn to read with enthusiasm and excitement; and make fluent readers out of every Filipino child through highly effective game-based reading program that incorporates music, movement, games, and activities.

These innovative programs are seen by DepEd as necessary support systems to facilitate the continuity of education for all young Filipinos, particularly those from vulnerable and disadvantaged communities brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.

With all final preparations being put in place, the School Year 2020-2021 will hopefully and formally start on October 5, 2020.