Parents’ role in their children’s education amid COVID-19

Roseveen E. Lazatin

PARENTS now have a major role in the education of their children in view of the “new normal”. Because the Department of Education will be implementing blended learning this new school year, learners have to stay at home to continue their education amidst the health crisis.

Parents, though, don’t really have the necessary know-how to guide their children in their studies at home this school year. That is why the DepEd has been conducting training for parents with this in mind.

The DepEd invites parents to participate in webinars, where they are taught ways in giving appropriate guidance to their children while they learn at home, while others meet with teachers in school heads in areas where limited gathering is allowed.

Meanwhile, educators may also orient other parents through text messaging or phone calls, whichever way is available or appropriate to the situation.

Parents and learners who live in areas where there is no internet access will have access to "self-learning" workbooks or modules. The students will then have to read and understand the lessons by themselves, and accomplish exercises in the workbook every week. This is where parents should come in to help and guide their children.

Earlier, the DepEd said it would tap volunteers, education graduates and even retired teachers to help students without internet access and who will be studying at home.

The agency may also engage community learning facilitators to help in doing rounds and giving some form of intervention for our learners, while physical classes remain barred because of the COVID-19 threat.

Students may also have to tune in to radio and television shows to help them understand the lessons, he said.

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