EDCOM2 pushes for evaluation of asynchronous learning models amid class suspensions

The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM2) is pushing for an evaluation of effective asynchronous learning models to address the learning gap caused by class suspensions due to inclement weather.

EDCOM2 Executive Director Dr. Karol Mark Yee said a study conducted by the commission found that 30 to 50 days out of the 180-day school year were lost in the past two years.

"Nakita natin sa nakaraang dalawang taon, minsan 30, 40, 50 days ang nawawala sa isang school year. Paano mo matutunan 'yung lahat ng leksyon sa isang buong quarter? Kahit habulin natin 'yun, hindi natin kayang habulin 'yun ng bigla-bigla," Yee said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday.

(We saw that in the past two years, sometimes 30, 40, 50 days were lost in one school year. How will you learn all the lessons for one whole quarter? Even if we try to catch up, we won't be able to catch up right away.)

“Dapat may monitoring and evaluation ang DepEd [kung] anong mga asynchronous models ang gumagana o hindi, para 'yung mga hindi, itigil 'yun at 'yung mga gumagana, 'yun 'yung palawakin,” Yee said.

(The Department of Education should have a monitoring and evaluation system to determine which asynchronous models are effective and which are not, so ineffective models can be discontinued and effective ones can be expanded.)

Due to the recent continuous rains brought by the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) and tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay in the past few weeks, classes in several schools across the country were either suspended or shifted to asynchronous learning.

Yee pointed out that schools must also assess the students’ learning progress once they return to classes after the suspension.

“Pagbalik dapat ng mga estudyante sa paaralan, dapat may assessment… alin 'yung mga leksyon na natutunan, alin 'yung hindi para 'yung mga hindi, ihahabol pa rin ng mga teachers,” Yee said.

(When students return to school, there should be an assessment to determine which lessons they have learned, so teachers can still help them catch up on those they missed.)

For Yee, face-to-face classes are the best way for students to learn, especially in kindergarten and basic education since it is the stage where students learn to read and write.

He proposed broader consultations with concerned agencies to implement a more effective class suspension policy.

“While the safety of the children is extremely important and is paramount, we need to save learning days kung kaya natin (if we can),” he said.

“Kung puwedeng granular 'yung suspension para kung may mga probinsiya kung saan hindi lahat ng munisipyo naapektuhan ng baha at ulan, baka puwedeng tumuloy sila sa pag-aaral. Hindi 'yung blanket lagi 'yung suspension natin,” he added.

(If possible, class suspensions should be more granular, so that in provinces where not all municipalities are affected by flooding or heavy rain, classes may continue instead of imposing blanket suspensions.)

In early August, several students and parents expressed disappointment over the late announcement of class suspensions, as some students had already arrived at school only to be sent home in the afternoon due to heavy rains.

DepEd is crafting a standardized system that would automatically suspend and resume in-person classes and onsite work in schools during emergencies based on hazard thresholds set by government agencies.

The proposal, which will be submitted to Malacañang through a draft executive order, is currently undergoing nationwide consultations with local government units, education officials, and other stakeholders. —KG, GMA News