Duterte: DepEd studying blended learning as permanent mode of instruction

Vice President and concurrent Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Friday said the Department of Education is studying the implementation of blended learning as a permanent mode of instruction.

During the Senate committee on basic education organizational meeting, Duterte reiterated that DepEd is ready for the opening of classes consistent with Department Order 24 which provides for the calendar and activities for School Year 2022-2023 despite the challenges they are facing.

She said they put to task an executive committee to ensure a smooth opening of the in-person classes.

Although they trust that the teachers, school division superintendents, and regional directors are making their utmost efforts to allow the safe return of learners in schools, Duterte said the Education Department is still conducting a study on the implementation of blended learning.

"Consequently, as part of the transition to in-person classes, blended learning shall still be implemented and we are continuing to study the implementation of blended learning as a permanent mode of instruction for basic education," she said.

Duterte said they expect the full implementation of five-day in-person classes in all public and private schools on November 2.

The Vice President also said DepEd is doing everything to address the "long-standing issues," including the shortage of classrooms and teachers and the effects of calamities such as typhoons and recent earthquakes in the schools.

"We assure our parents that as we participate in the Transforming Education Summit 2022 in the United Nations, hopefully, with the presence of President Marcos and the leaders' day, we will be doubling our efforts to provide your children the kind of education they deserve," she said.

Leeway

At the same hearing, Senator Nancy Binay suggested giving principals or teachers the leeway to declare no in-person classes if the COVID-19 cases in a campus increases.

"Siguro, Usec. Densing just a suggestion, baka mas maigi na meron ding mekanismo yung DepEd or baka may leeway ang ating principal or teacher na mag-desisyon kung kailangan mag-declare ng no classes lalong-lalo na pag madami na don sa mga estudyante ang nagkakasakit," Binay said.

(Maybe, it is better that the DepEd adopts a mechanism or give the principals or teachers to decide when to declare no classes especially if the COVID-19 cases increases.)

She cited the situation in the Senate where they declared a lockdown on Monday to disinfect and clean the building after seven senators tested positive for COVID-19.

This, after Education Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III said that Department Order 34 provided that classes will continue regardless of the alert level imposed in a locality.

"Sa (in the) Department Order 34 malinaw po, it was clearly mentioned there that regardless of the alert level in any area, classes will continue," he said.

"This COVID-19, as mentioned by Secretary Sara during our discussion, is something that is already declared endemic although it is not declared endemic yet it is already something that we'll have to be with in our daily lives. So regardless of the alert level system, we will continue with the classes and I believe the protocols are there including the protection of children while they are in person classes," Densing said when asked if the DepEd crafted a mechanism that will trigger a shut down of the schools. — AOL/RSJ, GMA News