Project REACH and Last Mile Schools

Karen G. Catu

Since there are still no face-to-face classes due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Department of Education (DepEd) in Central Luzon has strengthened its Project REACH (Radio-based Education Assisting Children at Home) further improve the implementation of distance learning for the School Year 2020-2021.

An example of Project REACH is in Tarlac province which is currently putting up five community-based radio stations,

implemented based on a "outsourcing initiative" 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. This is intended to help improve the state of blended learning in the identified Last Mile Schools in the province.

Last Mile Schools are those located in far-flung areas where the access to internet, mobile devices, radio, and television is not available.

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

of 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.

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.

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. DepEd’s Project REACH for Last Mile Schools is one of them to make teaching and learning interactive under the new normal.

--oOo—

The author is Teacher III at San Francisco Elementary School