Dry run for blended learning mode to take place in August –DepEd exec

The Department of Education will do a drill on the blended forms of learning before the school year opens on August 24, according to Education Undersecretary Tony Umali on Thursday.

"DepEd has committed to our President that we will do a dry run of everything that we are talking about here, right now and that should happen if not first, then second week of August –definitely before the actual start of classes," Umali said in a Senate hearing.

Though teachers' training for distance learning has yet to be completed and printing of self-learning modules has yet to start in July, the DepEd official is optimistic that the education sector will be ready enough before the opening of classes.

How will self-learning modules work?

Due to the current digital limitations in the country, the use of self-learning modules is being eyed as an alternative way of delivering lessons to children outside the classroom.

But senators are wondering if learners will be able to grasp the complex concepts on their own.

"For example, math classes. Anong magiging proseso noon kapag itinuro nila through this module?" said Senator Nancy Binay.

Education Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio said these modules are designed to be used by "independent" learners.

"Primarily, kung independent learner siya, puwede na siyang mag-aral on his or her own. Sa mga wala pang kakayahan nito, that is where the support of a learning facilitator is needed," he said, stressing that ideally, this part will be filled by parents.

Teachers and volunteer community learning facilitators may also call or visit the students who are struggling to use the self-learning modules.

"During the course of home learning, the teacher will make followups. Ang tingin po namin, ang mobile phone will be very useful in finding out what's going on in the home para ma-clarify po kung ano mga difficulties ng bata," San Antonio said.

The answers to exercises from the learning modules will be checked and assessed weekly, according to the DepEd official.

"Hindi po namin ini-encourage na doon mismo magsulat sa module ang mga bata kasi gusto po nating maging useful pa rin ito sa future," San Antonio added.

DepEd director Jocelyn Andaya from the Bureau of Curriculum Development said that sufficient introduction to lessons and instructions are included in the learning modules.

"On his or her own, the learner will be able to follow. Parang nagtuturo rin po," she said.

If the availability of resources permit, synchronous online sessions may be conducted by the teachers and students to focus on difficult lessons.

Teachers are currently receiving a P3,500 cash allowance which can be used for load and internet, Umali said.

"One time pay po ito at ito po 'yung dating tinatawag na chalk allowance. Ngayon po ang tawag na namin ay cash allowance dahil di na gaanong ginagamit ang chalk sa pagtuturo,"  he added.

Senator Grace Poe said the allowance seems insufficient.

"The proposed allowance might not be enough because kung dati chalk lang ang binibili, ngayon load na, mas mahal nang di hamak," she said, adding that it should be discussed too in the budget deliberations.

'Fear of having repeaters'

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chair of the committee on basic education, asked the DepEd if the self-learning modules will capacitate students to move up.

"The vaccine might come out one year from now, then this type of modality will continue. Ang tanong ko lang, matututo ba talaga ang bata to step up to the next level? Kaya ba ng distance learning ito? Na 'yung Grade 1 after 40 weeks of distance learning puwede maging Grade 2?" he said.

San Antonio said he personally thinks the students will learn regardless of the platform that will be used, "as long as they are motivated."

"The best case scenario, we will see children moving up to the next grade level regardless if it's online or not. The worst case scenario, if we will have repeaters," Gatchalian responded.

"My worry is, with distance learning, without the physical interaction with the teacher, the scores might go down. My worry is the performance of our students in the National Achievement Test Scores," he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to support DepEd's learning continuity plan for blended forms of learning, as he stood firm that he will not allow face-to-face classes until a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available.

The basic education classes are scheduled to officially open on August 24. To date, 14.4 million K-12 students have already enrolled in public and private schools nationwide. —LBG, GMA News