DepEd, LGUs working together to continue education

The author is Teacher III at Lakandula Elementary School Aileen A. Dimalanta

THE Department of Education has been working with local government units (LGUs) and external partners to provide for digital learning assistance this school year.

According to the agency, over 475 partner LGUs, as well as a number of NGOs, and external partners partnered with School Division Offices (SDOs) to provide learning materials to learners, parents, and guardians, and teachers and personnel.

The Department and its partners have been distributing distance learning equipment for teachers since last year to ensure that distance learning would be possible amid the health and safety crisis.

Based on the report of the Regional offices, around 1,202 donation activities of LGUs or external partners have been conducted, consisting of printing supplies, electronic gadgets, and items concerning the implementation of safety and health protocols in the region.

Initiatives of LGUs included identifying the suitable modality of learning for every location, providing machines for the printing of modules, engaging partnerships with internet providers for a better connection, and collaborating with local media for radio and television-based instruction.

In addition, LGUs, in partnership with field offices, provided training for the teachers and parents for them to adapt to the new normal of education. These initiatives were conducted while observing the required health protocols for COVID-19.

On the other hand, as of last year, around 13 billion worth of cash and inkind donations were contributed by external partners in 16 regions.

This assistance from LGUs and external partners boosted regional and division offices’ efforts for the implementation of BE-LCP, including printing and distribution of self-learning modules, teachers’training and parents’orientation, TV and radio modality, and health and safety protocols.

Meanwhile, the Department has expressed alarm and had conducted a separate investigation on initial reports that students resort to selling private videos and photos to have sufficient funding for online learning.

The DepEd reiterated its commitment to cooperate with the Inter-Agency Council Against Child Pornography (IACACP) in preventing and addressing pornography among learners. The Department also emphasized that gadgets or internet connections are not required to participate in the distance learning set-up.

The agency said these rising cases of child exploitation and abuse call for better collaboration and cooperation among national agencies and local communities, especially in these difficult times. Children must never be exposed to such corrupt acts under any circumstances, the department said.

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The author is Teacher III at Mitla Elementary School, Porac West District