Various learning strategies eyed for basic education

MANILA, Philippines — As the threat of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection is expected to remain even after the quarantine regulations are relaxed, the Department of Education (DepEd) has started to consider various learning strategies that could be adopted once schools are allowed to reopen.

Education Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla said the agency is working on a framework on ways to implement a learning continuity plan that would address challenges caused by the pandemic on the education sector.

“There is no definite ‘one size-fits all’ policy on which delivery approach will be implemented during the learning continuity place. The choice and contextualization of the learning delivery modality will actually depend on the local COVID situation and access to learning platforms in the school, division or region,” Sevilla told The STAR.

She noted that the available alternative learning delivery modes include online learning and the use of modules containing reading materials and tasks that students can work on in their homes.

In cases when limited face-to-face interaction is allowed, DepEd also considers a structured or staggered class sizes with a mix of blended learning methods.

Abram Abanil, DepEd director for information and communication technology service, said strict social distancing measures would be implemented if a smaller class size setup is adopted.

Under the said setup, some of the students would have to remain home, although they would still be given tasks through technology or paper-based activities.

Abanil said they are conducting training for teachers to enable them to adjust to new modes of learning, which is expected to become the new normal even after the COVID pandemic.

“We will have an e-book for each grade level and each subject area every week of the school year. We estimate that we have to produce 60 e-books per week,” he added.

Sevilla said the decision on what learning strategy to adopt would also highly depend on the health scenario, pointing out that if the enhanced or general community quarantine remains until August and classes will require strict social distancing, “then DepEd will definitely not require face-to-face classes and will only allow distance learning.”

In a statement on Friday, DepEd reiterated its commitment to develop a comprehensive learning continuity plan to address challenges through the necessary adjustments in the curriculum, alignment of learning materials and relevant support to teachers and parents.