Community-based radio stations for IP learners

The Department of Education, through its field offices, is relentless in discovering and introducing new ways and strategies to further improve the implementation of distance learning for the School Year 20202021. After the first quarter held from October 5 until December 12, issues and challenges encountered by learners, parents, and

teachers are all being threshed out and are being given proper interventions. Since President Duterte instructed the cancellation of limited face-to-face classes earlier proposed by DepEd, the need to make teaching and learning interactive under the new set-up becomes a challenge for most schools and teacher s.

In Tarlac Province, several schools are considered as Last Mile Schools where most of the learners are members of the Indigenous People or IP community. Furthermore, these schools are located in far-flung areas where the access to internet, mobile devices, radio, and television is not available. At the same time, most of the parents of these IP learners also have limited educational background that makes it impossible for them to guide their children in the modular learning modality.

Because of these challenges, one of the solutions that is being undertaken now is the establishment of school and community-based radio stations that will benefit the marginalized sectors of the community particularly the IP learners.

The use of radio-based instruction is proven to be a successful supplementary lode of learning modality after the first school-based radio station, DWRY 103FM, was established at Capas National High School when the School Year started on October 5.

Through the Project REACH (Radiobased Education Assisting Children at Home), DepEd Tarlac seeks to put up at least five (5) community-based radio stations to help improve the state of blended learning in the identified Last Mile Schools in the province. It will be implemented based on a "outsourcing intiative" where the proponents shall partner with civic organizations and generous individuals who are willing to donate financial

support or equipment needed for the establishment of a school or community-based radio station.

With a meager amount of P7,856, the school or community-based radio station will have a range of

If 1-2 kilometers. Radio-Based Education (RBI) will broadcast on-air via designated FM radio frequency and shall serve as support mechanism for modular distance learning. Teachers will radio broadcast the lessons, which may be live or recorded, to assist learners in understanding the concepts and to help them master the most essential learning competencies.

For those who are interested to donate and become a part of project REACH, you may get in touch with the proponent Omar Dimarucot at 09205551306 or email omar.dimarucot@deped.gov.ph.