Face to Face Learning in Upland Schools.
Rachel C. Macabulos
As the year 2022 begun, the threat of COVID19 started to mellow down a bit. Some say that the issue was overcome by the hustle and bustle of the election. Others say that we have conquered our fight against the pandemic. No matter what the reason for the decline is, teachers and learners alike were given this glimmer of hope of pursuing education. The thing is, the education sector was given this window of opportunity to somehow start anew and slowly go back to the new normal as they call it.
Deped Order No.180, series of 2022 also known as “Implementation guidelines on the
Teaching and Learning Component of the Limited Face-to-Face Classes”, with reference to the
approval of the recommendation for the progressive expansion of limited face-to-face (F2F)
classes by the President on January 17, 2021, and per pronouncement of the InterAgency Task
Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases, states that remain
under alert level 1, hence, implementation of F2F classes may gradually shift from progressive
expansion to mass implementation. The DepEd order directed schools in Central Luzon, particularly those schools located in far-flung areas and are COVID free as certified by the respective municipal health units to participate in the Limited Face-toFace Classes. The said directive mandated the school administrators and teachers to prepare the participating schools as to the health and safety aspects are concerned. The limited face to face scheme included learners belonging to the less fortunate in the academe. Every classroom of every grade level except those in the primary (Kinder, grade 1 – grade 3) is required to have at least 20 learners who are also prepped physically and emotionally.
In upland schools which took part in the limited face-to-face classes, the implementation proved to be a breath of fresh air not only to the participant learners but also to the teachers. After two years of lockdowns and SLMs, going to school is something that Ayta learners have longed for. Now, on its seventh month of implementation, enthusiasm and joy on the faces of the participants is still evident while adhering to the safety protocols and guidelines set forth by the school. In adversities such as the global pandemic, the love for the things that was taken for granted in the past seems to garner renewed understanding and appreciation.
The author
is Teacher
--oOo-
III at all Central Luzon provinces
Villa Maria Integrated School