Education in the New Normal

Gemma T. Balingit

School Year 2020 – 2021 is indeed very peculiar!

Opening of classes in the Philippines usually begin on the first week of June. For this school year, classes started in October, three months late from the usual opening of classes.

Modifications and adjustments were made due to our present situation. Some measures were taken to at least limit the spread of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID – 19) in our country. Lockdowns, officially characterized as “community quarantines” were imposed from March 15 to present in almost all parts of the country. Children below fifteen (15) years old and adults age sixty (60) and above were prohibited from staying outside their homes.

Because of the restrictions imposed, the Department of Education thought of means and ways on how learning among our pupils will continue despite the pandemic.

As an alternative measure of the face – to – face learning, the Modular Distance Learning was adopted and implemented in almost all public elementary schools. Select teachers were even tasked to write some modules.

Modular Distance Learning involves individualized instruction that allows learners to use self – learning modules (SLMs) in print or digital format and other learning resources like Learner’s Materials, textbooks, activity sheets, study guides and other study materials.

Before the opening of classes, teachers printed and prepared the modules under the supervision and monitoring of the school head and DepEd authorities.

Parents were held responsible in getting and submitting the modules on the assigned day and time following the safety health protocols implemented by the school. Pupils answer the modules with the help of any member of the family or guardian. The teacher takes the responsibility of monitoring the progress of the learners. The learners through their parents or guardians may ask assistance from the teacher through e – mail, telephone, text message, etc.

Teachers check the modules two to three days after the retrieval.

Pupils are given some performance tasks which serve as an enrichment or reinforcement activity to complement the learning of a particular competency.

With the modular distance learning, the department through the school with the teachers, school heads, leaders, parents, and other stakeholders is hopeful that learning among our pupils is taking place.

The author is Principal

--oOo-

III at San Matias Elementary School, Sto. Tomas District