Learning crisis worsened by pandemic, says Angara

Department of Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara has affirmed that the country remains embroiled in a worsening learning crisis, one intensified by the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking during his visit at Esteban Abada Elementary School in Quezon City where the CLASS+ program was launched, Angara explained that many children are still unable to read after extended periods of homeschooling without teacher guidance. 

“100% nag-worsen,” he said, explaining that many children are still unable to read after extended periods of homeschooling without teacher guidance. 

“Binigyan lang ng papeles…hindi nga sila marunong magbasa,” he added, clearly illustrating how paper-based home modules proved ineffective without foundational literacy. 

(They were given papers, yet they don't know how to read.)

Angara pointed out that the crisis lies in the fact that “students are not learning at the right level.” 

Referring to UNICEF’s observations, he said, “Yan ang nirefer nung UNICEF kaya tinawag nilang crisis kasi nakita nila ang mga bata, behind sila sa grade level nila.”

(That was what UNICEF referred to ... that's why they called it a crisis. They saw the students are behind their actual grade level.)

To address this, Angara said DepEd has implemented summer programs and is putting renewed focus on basic skills. “Sinabi ng Presidente, mag-focus tayo sa basics.”

(The President said we should focus on the basics.)

In the first few days of school opening, Angara reported common problems encountered during visits to schools: “May naririnig tayo mga ibang kulangan ng classroom, may incident ang bullying, yung iba binabaha.”

(We've heard of lack of classrooms, incidents of bullying, flooding.)

When asked how many classrooms have been constructed this year under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP), Angara replied, “Wala pa po. Yung PPP nasa Department of Development pa.” — RSJ, GMA Integrated News