DepEd to parents: No need to buy new gadgets

MANILA, Philippines — With the expected shift to alternative modes of learning in the upcoming school year, the Department of Education (DepEd) assured parents that there is no need to buy new gadgets as printed learning materials would be provided for those without access to technology.

“For those who do not have gadgets, you are not required to buy new ones to be able to take part in the new modes of learning,” Education Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan said in Filipino.

“We are preparing printed learning modules that would be brought to the homes (of the students) or may be picked up in coordinated (locations),” he added.

When enrolling their children, Malaluan said parents should answer the survey form where they can indicate the capacity of their households to adapt to distance learning, such as access to internet, availability of gadgets and presence of adults who can supervise learning at home.

DepEd said the survey would generate critical data for designing learning delivery strategies and approaches, as well as in planning, resource allocation and policy formulation.

The survey is part of the remote enrollment process, where teachers would reach out to the parents of their previous advisory class to inquire about their decision regarding the upcoming school year.

Malaluan earlier reminded parents not to rush to schools on June 1 as the enrollment process would be conducted remotely, or through phone calls, text messages or online platforms.

Physical enrollment would be the last resort and would only be conducted starting third week of June to minimize risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission.

Not just onlineThe DepEd has repeatedly clarified that the shift to blended learning does not mean that students would require gadgets and internet connectivity to access educational content.

During her presentation to President Duterte on Thursday, Education Secretary Leonor Briones cited different approaches that they intend to adopt, such as using printed materials and education through radio and television.

“We fully and completely support your stand that our children should not be exposed to the dangers of COVID-19 physically, but we are also offering opportunities for them to continue their studies and their learning,” she said.

“We are utilizing existing ways of communication without necessarily requiring our children to go to school,” she added.Duterte, who earlier said that he is not inclined to allow resumption of classes without a vaccine for COVID-19, approved the DepEd proposal to use alternative modes of learning.“I’m impressed with the simplicity of the program… And I believe that all that you have said is really feasible,” he said. “I believe we have a very workable program and I support you.”

Learning must continueVarious groups have expressed support to using adaptive forms of learning to allow education to continue despite the pandemic.

“The rights of children to education can still be fulfilled even if schools are closed. Exploring available learning modalities may not be easy at this point, but is possible,”

Save the Children Philippines chief executive officer Alberto Muyot said.“We share the concerns of parents and guardians that children must continue learning, but should remain protected from exposure to COVID-19,” he added.

Muyot said the government should invest on capacity building for parents, caregivers and elder siblings to support children’s learning at home.

Sierra Paraan, basic education advisor of the organization, said local government units should allocate budget in building stable and affordable communication systems that connect homes, schools and barangays to assist families in providing continuing learning at home.

“Teachers and early childhood facilitators can also provide follow up support to parents and guardians in addressing the learning needs of children,” she added.

The Philippine Business for Education, meanwhile, expressed support for DepEd’s plan to adopt different learning modalities and the push of the Commission on Higher Education for flexible learning.

“Education is an investment for the future and we cannot allow this crisis to steal the futures of our students and nation as it has our present,” it said.“We need to address this challenge while ensuring the health and well-being of our students and of the greater population,” it added.