DepEd to deliver ‘quality distance education’ amid COVID-19 crisis

Published May 13, 2020, 2:35 PM

The Department of Education (DepEd) assured it will intensify its efforts to ensure that “accessible and quality distance education” will be delivered this coming school year.

“I cannot guarantee a 100-percent increase in quality,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said in a recent online press conference when asked how the alternative delivery modes of learning such as online learning – among others – will affect the overall quality of education in the country.

“What I can guarantee is 100- to 200-percent effort that we are trying to meet the requirements needed and that we’re doing what we can,” she added.

Briones assured that the DepEd officials and personnel are “working tirelessly” to ensure that quality of education will not be compromised even if schools resort to non-traditional modes of learning delivery due to the public health emergency.

DepEd was forced to move the school opening for School Year (SY) 2020-2021 from June to August this year. This decision was based on consultations with DepEd officials, partner-organizations and other stakeholders including teachers, parents and learners.

DepEd’s recommendation was also approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).

“The opening of classes for the basic education shall be on 24 August 2020 and ending on 30 April 2021,” Briones confirmed. “No face-to-face classes will be allowed earlier than August 24 and from August 24, face-to-face learning shall only be allowed when the local risk severity grading permits, and subject to compliance with minimum health standards,” she added.

Quality education under ‘new normal’

Briones said that DepEd will be adopting a multi-modal approach in delivering education to ensure that the emerging needs and concerns of schools, teachers and learners will be addressed amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Learning will be made “flexible” as it may include the use of online, television, radio and printed materials depending on the capacities of schools and readiness of parents and learners to adopt such alternative measures, Briones explained

DepEd has crafted a Learning Continuity Plan (LCP) after consultation with partner institutions and organizations. The LCP covers the K-to-12 curriculum adjustments; alignment of learning materials; various modalities of delivery; and corresponding teacher and parent/guardian training for homeschooling.

These modifications, Briones said, were necessary steps in adapting to the “new normal” while adhering to the framework of its “Sulong EduKalidad” initiative.

Launched last December, “Sulong Edukalidad” involves reforms to achieve quality in basic education in “response to the rapidly changing learning environment of present and future learners and (the need for) aggressive reforms to globalize the quality of basic education in the Philippines,” Briones said.

It includes four key reform areas: the K to 12 Curriculum review and update; improvement of learning environment; teachers’ upskilling and reskilling; and engagement of stakeholders for support and collaboration.

Despite the challenges ahead, Briones remained positive that DepEd – through the schools and its officials – will be able to find the “right balance” to ensure that the quality of education delivered to learners will not be compromised.

Briones assured that DepEd “will observe all the guidelines” set by the Department of Health (DOH) and of the IATF on whether the risks classification in a locality will allow face-to-face attendance in schools or not.

“I similarly acknowledge the fears and apprehensions of our learners, parents and teachers, that we might not be ready for distance learning, with issues about access to online platforms and availability of gadgets,” Briones said.

SOURCE: https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/05/13/deped-to-deliver-quality-distance-education-amid-covid-19-crisis/