DepEd developing ‘learning recovery plan’ to address learning gaps

The Department of Education on Tuesday said that it was developing a learning recovery plan to guide schools in addressing learning gaps due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As more schools open their doors for physical learning, the Department is currently crafting a learning recovery program as part of our post-pandemic efforts,” DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said in a statement.

“We have to ensure that our interventions are effective so that everyone can catch up and accelerate their learning,” she added.

Alma Torio, Assistant Secretary for Curriculum and Instruction, said that the proposed policy is anchored on learning remediation and intervention, professional development, health, safety, and wellness of the teachers and students.

“Kasama po diyan ‘yung extending school calendar, expanding ng learning time, establishing learning support center in schools and community-based learning spaces, conducting summer learning remediation and intervention programs, and hiring of additional learning support aides,” Torio explained.

(That includes extending the school calendar, expanding learning time, establishing learning support centers in schools and community-based learning spaces, conducting summer learning remediation and intervention programs, and hiring additional learning support aides.)

The DepEd also planned to intensify reading interventions, conduct regular home visits to learners, implement group or buddy systems, and develop appropriate assessment tasks and resources.

“Kasama rin po sa framework natin para sa safe na pagbabalik ng ating mga mag-aaral sa paaralan ay ‘yung probisyon sa health, safety, at wellness. Under this concept, we would like to address the socio-emotional and behavioral recovery of learners,” Torio noted.

(Our framework for the safe return of our students to school also includes the provision on health, safety, and wellness. Under this concept, we would like to address the socio-emotional and behavioral recovery of learners.)

“We will strengthen the Oplan Kalusugan and focus on child protection/child online protection, and establishment of helplines/health lines,” she added.

For the professional development of teachers, the agency aimed to conduct physical and online learning action cell sessions, adaptive teaching strategies and classroom assessments, and a shift from the traditional approach to tailored acceleration.

Torio said the first phase of the learning recovery plan would be implemented this summer, while the succeeding phases would be in the next academic years. — DVM, GMA News