Amid the uncertainties the country is facing due to the COVID-19 crisis, the Department of Education (DepEd) faces a new challenge on how it would go about with the opening of classes slated in June. As cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in the country, there is a possibility that the virus won’t be completely eradicated by June 2020.
With that in mind, the DepEd mulls implementing online-based classes for school year 2020-2021.
“The Information and Communication Technology-based adjustments will have to be made as a major feature for teaching and learning,” said DepEd Undersecretary Nepomoceno Malaluan.
In line with this plan, the education department has already released “DepEd Commons”. The online platform can be accessed by public school teachers for remote teaching. Students are also able to use the platform for learning, allowing them to stay at home while going to a virtual school. They are provided with online review materials and other educational resources.
Teachers Express Worry About the Idea
But this is something that needs to be studied before it should be implemented, particularly because this would pose a number of problems for teachers and students alike.
The setup worried a number of teachers, with many saying that this will be a huge challenge for families that don’t have an internet connection, obviously. A number of teachers also pointed out that many parents are actually indifferent over their children’s education and might not provide the support that the kids will need for this kind of educational setup.
“Parang diyan may problema ng konti. ‘Yung ibang parents supportive sa mga needs ng mga bata. ‘Yung iba hindi masyado,” said Leonila Linchangco, a public school teacher.
“May mga ilang magulang din tayo na hirap makabasa at maunawaan ang mga lessons. Kaya may need pa rin to meet students for face-to-face follow-up,” Quezon City public school teacher Chary Patron told CNN Philippines.
But the DepEd is not daunted by these challenges, with the agency explaining that it has to come with something to ensure that students can still continue with their education amid the health crisis.
“In this extraordinary situation we find ourselves in, we must walk before we run. We must start somewhere and work our way towards the ideal where all teachers and learners in the country can access such resources,” explained DepEd Undersecretary Alain Pascua.
