4 of 10 school division offices printed more than 50% of self-learning modules for 1st quarter —DepEd

Almost four out of 10 schools division offices (SDOs) in the Philippines have completed printing more than 50% of the self-learning modules for the first quarter of School Year 2020-2021.

During a Senate hearing, Education Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan said 82 out of the 214 SDOs across the country, outside the Bangsamoro region, have printed more than half of the distance learning materials.

"Hindi naman po kailangan ibigay lahat 'yung buong dalawang buwan. Ang commitment sa atin ng field units natin is that at least the first two weeks worth of self-learning modules to complement our text books shall be available," Malaluan said.

"The [self-learning modules for the] succeeding weeks shall be made available on a rolling basis," he added.

Malaluan said the first week of classes will be dedicated to orientations and psychosocial interventions.

Meanwhile, over 50% completion of teacher training for distance learning have been recorded in 195 out of 214 SDOs, according to DepEd.

Training opportunities for teachers will continue throughout the school year, Malaluan said.

Based on DepEd data, more than 23 million students have enrolled this school year, equivalent to 83.1% of the enrollment turnout last year.

Of these, more than 21 million enrolled in public schools, over 1.5 million in private schools, and more than 333,000 in the alternative learning system.

The opening of classes, employing blended forms of learning, will open on August 24.

Senate committee on basic education chairperson Sherwin Gatchalian said he "wholeheartedly" supports the opening of classes on the said date because learning must continue amid the COVID-19 pandemic.—AOL, GMA News