DepEd investigates ‘sagot for sale’ on learning modules

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday said it is investigating allegations that some parents hired people to answer the learning modules of their children.

“Iyon naman po ay pinapatingnan, papatingnan natin sa ating mga kasama at magpapa-validate tayo ng mga naulat,” DepEd Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio said at the Laging Handa briefing.

He said teachers who are found involved in such practice will face sanctions.

“Ang maliwanag po simula’t simula, binigyang-diin din natin na hindi puwedeng gawin ito kasi hindi ito makakatulong sa pagturo ng honesty, pagiging honest ng mga kabataang Pilipino kung ang mga magulang mismo ang mamimili o ang tutulong sa pagbigay ng sagot,” he said.

“Kapag napapatunayan pagkatapos ng mahabang proseso ay mabibigyan nang angkop na kaparusahan.”

San Antonio’s assurance comes after Senator Sherwin Gatchalian revealed the alleged scheme in a Senate inquiry on Wednesday, where other issues confronting the country’s educational system amid the COVID-19 pandemic were also discussed.

Gatchalian is the chairperson of the Senate committee on basic education.

San Antonio also addressed doubts of some senators over the department’s report that 99% of the students got passing marks under distance learning in the first quarter of the school year.

“Iyon po kasing 99% na pumasa, hindi naman naliwanag namin na pati iyong markang 75 ay considered pasado na,” he said.

“Ang gusto kong mabigyang-diin ay puwede po talaga na naging mas considerate ang mga kasamang guro natin pero po may naiwan pa ring 1% na parang hindi naman nakipag-coordinate, nakipag-cooperate sa kanilang mga teachers,” he added.

The department earlier said 14.5 million students got passing grades and more than 126,000 obtained failing marks.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) disputed the DepEd’s report, saying the group’s ground monitoring showed that many teachers were forced to give an “incomplete” grade as many of their students are not able to keep up with the lessons and complete their requirements.

The group said that Gatchalian’s data on the 55% passing rate among Valenzuela City students seemed more realistic than DepEd’s claim.

“We ask the DepEd officials to stop spewing lies to cover up for the failure of distance learning and instead focus on implementing education reforms to salvage the rest of the school year and ensure safe and quality education for all.” ACT secretary-general Raymond Basilio said. — RSJ, GMA News