DepEd says recommendation to pass all students due to pandemic not fair

The Department of Education (DepEd) said the recommendation to pass all students due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is not fair, according to a report of Super Radyo dzBB on Saturday.

DepEd Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio said many learners are doing their best to pass despite challenges, while some students are not taking their studies seriously.

“Kailangang maunawaan ng mga bata na ang pag-aaral ay kailangan ng effort at sineseryoso kaya ang paniniwala namin ay kailangan ng marka, numerical pa rin ang grading,” San Antonio said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB on Saturday.

“Naniniwala kami na mas magkakaroon ng magandang motibasyon ang bata na mag-aral kung alam niya ang kanyang ginagawa ay minamarkahan ng maayos,” he added.

While acknowledging that the recommendation aims to address the stress and anxiety of learners, San Antonio said teachers can offer help to these students.

“Nauunawaan namin na ang gusto ng panukala ay mabawasan ang stress at anxiety ng mga bata,’ he said.

“Hindi naman puwedeng lahat (ng bata) ay papasa. 'Yung talagang nagpapakita ng interes at ginagawa ang lahat pero nahihirapan ay bibigyan ng tulong at atensiyon ng mga guro,” the DepEd official added.

Implementing a no fail policy would not teach children responsibility, he said.

For San Antonio, learners will have more motivation in their studies once they see their grades.

Due to the COVID-19 threat, the DepEd decided to resume classes through blended learning, where students do not have to go to school to participate in classes to avoid possible transmission of the virus.

It also removed around 60% of the curriculum to adjust for the remote learning approach this school year, which started October 5.

The department has prepared for ways to deliver education to students through self-learning modules, broadcast media, and the internet.

Some groups called for academic freeze in light of the challenges that the teachers, students, and teachers are facing over distance learning.

However, DepEd only implemented an academic ease to reduce the burden of the students and teachers. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News