Continuation of distance learning education in the new normal

Raffy L. Navarro

The Department of Education (DepEd) will be implementing blended learning anew amidst the global health crisis for the new school year. According to the released guidelines, the conduct of face-to-face classes, whether in partial or full-scale, will still not be allowed unless permitted by the President. According to officials, the Department had to find ways to keep the learning process going despite the challenges and uncertainty posed by COVID-19 while maintaining the health, safety, and well-being of learners and teachers. Regional Offices are also instructed to enhance the implementation of the Basic Education-Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP), including maximizing the use of DepEd TV and Radio-Based Instruction to lessen reliance on printed modules, encouraging return of learners who did not enroll last year, and ensuring equitable distribution of teachers’ workload following the standards set in Magna Carta for Teachers. Meanwhile, the Alternative Learning System (ALS) learning intervention will also formally open on September 13 while the program duration will depend on the learner’s educational background or existing knowledge level before enrolling in the ALS program. In preparation for opening of classes, schools will conduct Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela (BE-OBE) to inform and strengthen partnerships that complement DepEd’s effort to ensure quality basic education. SY 2021-2022 will start on September 13, 2021, as previously approved by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, and shall end on June 24, 2022, for a total of 209 school days, inclusive of Saturdays and the five-day midyear break. For private schools and state/local universities and colleges (SUCs/LUCs) offering basic education, the Department has allowed them to open classes within the authorized period by Republic Act No. 11480. The DepEd said the assurance of vaccines to all, including school-age children, is not guaranteed. However, education must continue to give hope and contribute to the normalization of activities in the country and facilitate the development of our learners and the restoration of normalcy in their lives, officials said. Regular enrollment for SY 2021-2022 will start on August 16 2021.