OVP launches blended learning instructional video series

The Office of the Vice President (OVP) on Sunday launched BAYANIHAN e-SKWELA - a video series that aims to assist teachers and parents in delivering blended learning to students.

In her radio program, Vice President Leni Robredo said that they had worked with the University of the Philippines's College of Education and College of Music, as well as with other volunteers from the education, media, and entertainment sectors, in the initiative.

“Ngayong araw natin ilo-launch, dito sa Biserbisyong Leni 'yung ating bagong initiative sa education, 'yung BAYANIHAN e-SKWELA,” Robredo said. “Instructional videos siya para sa mga teachers at mga magulang para mahanda ang kanilang mga sarili sa blended learning ng DepEd.”

The project included a Youtube channel and it would soon have a version on Facebook. The videos already uploaded on the social media channels of BAYANIHAN e-SKWELA featured several celebrities, including Kapuso artist Janine Gutierrez.

Robredo said that four videos would be uploaded on Sunday. The OVP targets 20 – 24 videos by the end of August. BAYANIHAN e-SKWELA will, later on, upload videos for students as well, Robredo added.

In its first episode, BAYANIHAN e-SKWELA discussed the ways to be an effective education manager.

Initially scheduled on August 24, the opening of classes was moved to October 5 due to the restrictions from the modified enhanced community quarantine, which affected the preparation of schools.

Due to the COVID-19 threat, the DepEd decided to resume classes using a blended learning system in which students do not have to go to school to participate in classes and thus avoid possible transmission of the virus.

It also removed around 60% of the curriculum to adjust for the remote learning approach.

The DepEd had also prepared other ways to deliver education to students using self-learning modules, broadcast media, and the internet.

Meanwhile, Robredo also called on the DepEd to use the postponement of school opening to better prepare the educational system for the new normal.

“Hindi puwedeng iyong sukat ng DepEd, iyong pinakamahusay na paaralan… Dapat iyong sukat niya iyong pinaka-maliit: iyong mga lugar na walang internet connection, iyong mga lugar na wala talagang gamit, papaano sila?” she said.

“So sana, sana iniisip iyon. Tutal October pa naman iyong opening; mayroon pang oras. Pero sana hindi na masayang… Sana pagdating ng October iyong pinaka-maliit, pinaka-malayo, pinaka-mahirap na paaralan ready na.” — DVM, GMA News