The advent of Virtual In-Service Training (INSET)

Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones firmly believes the education must continue amidst the global battle against a fatal virus. With the whys and what ifs of the people, DepEd offered a wide menu of options for learners and parents. Leaders continue to share their knowledge and expertise through In-Service Training for Teachers (INSET) to ensure the continuity of learning and to support learners’ needs.

Considering the undeniable importance of the annual teachers’ training and prioritization of teacher’s health, safety, and welfare, education leaders launched the First National Virtual and Centralized INSET. The erratic internet service thwarted teachers, however the end of the five-day journey of Virtual INSET marked a major success.

Indeed, INSET is the right avenue for re-skilling and upskilling of teachers for the new normal in education. It equipped teachers with adequate new knowledge and skills on how to face and overcome challenges. The undying support of education leaders for teachers, learners, and parents and the long-term impact of Virtual INSET manifests a clear future ahead. INSET is proof that no global crisis can stop education from soaring and prospering the education sector.

Maricel B. Niones

Cebu City

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Learning must go on

For those private schools which started their school year earlier, sometime in July–August 2020, maybe some or by now must have nearly ended or are about to end their school year already. We cannot circumvent observations from the stakeholders the difference between face-to-face learning, blended learning, and modular learning. As a parent, can you say your kid/s learned a lot in this academic year compared to traditional in-person classes?

There’s no denying distance learning cannot replace the gold standard of face-to-face learning. But what can we do since this is the new normal? If you’re going to ask me if online classes or blended learning granted contentment to my kids, then the answer is NO because my Grade 1 and Grade 3 children have already held in high regard the previous years of classroom teaching. They must have missed the memories of being inside school.

In terms of the mental aspect, learners might feel isolated especially if both parents work. Who will assist them if technical difficulties and internet interruption arise? Who comfort them so they will not lose interest in education? Young children have already been staying home for over a year now. As part of growing up, it is of great importance to uplift the mental health of our kids otherwise depression, anxiety, and self-pity might kick in.

Learning must go on in spite of the likely possibility that the next school year is still not face-to-face. DepEd may try to have a dry run face-to-face classes in selected low-risk areas but for those risk-averse type of persons who live in the center of the city I would rather wait for herd immunity to take place and have my children be inoculated than exposing them to the COVID-19 virus which they might get from anyone in school. A healthy kid might be able to fight off the infection but what about once they get home from school? What will happen to the elderly, the sick adults, and the immunocompromised? Children can be silent spreaders of the virus. Are you going to compromise the health of any individual in the home for the sake of traditional classroom learning? It is a choice that only you can decide.

Galbert Tampus

Poblacion Pardo, Cebu City