New challenges
Edsel L. Natividad
Pandemic came; teaching modality changed; teachers’ flexibility, tested. As the Department of Education gave a positive outlook in continuing the school year 2020-2021, it required so much effort to make it possible due to a number of reasons.
The suspension of face-to-face classes ignited the shift to distance learning modality which raised some issues. Among these were the lack of learning materials, lack of internet accessibility and gadgets. Fortunately, it may sound almost impossible but teachers were able to bridge the gap.
Teachers provided the only key to make learning possible: the modules. To use the textbooks is not appropriate as they are designed for classroom use so teachers were tasked to write learning modules that are cut into smaller chunks for easier use.
These learning modules are based on most essential learning competencies (MELCs). They are composed of topic discussion and activities. In most cases, these modules are printed by the schools division office and delivered to school within their jurisdiction. Students are given a week to answer each module.
But not every school is blessed. In some provinces, teachers are the ones doing the physical jobs aside from writing modules. Being not included in the list, some teachers are forced to print modules at home, sort them by learning area, staple them and sort again them again depending on the number of students per section. This is done weekly.
Now, this modality does not promise 100% efficiency so teachers had to take online classes if the need arises. Teachers of all ages took this challenge despite not all have technical knowledge. After three months from the opening of classes on October 5, 2020 look at the flow of education now, it seems everything is starting to fall into place. Although teachers and students alike have made significant adjustments, at least education is not compromised.
There are still rooms for improvement. The supply of materials needed for the production of learning modules should be provided by the department of education. Teachers have been using their own money for their classrooms; I hope this time would be different.
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The author is Teacher II at Alvindia-Aguso High School, Aguso, Tarlac City