THE Department of Education (DepEd) must address the concerns of parents and students in their planned blended learning scheme for the upcoming school year.
DepEd conducted a survey that was answered by parents and guardians from both public and private schools during the 45-day enrollment period in public schools that ended last July 15. The results revealed that 6.9 million parents and guardians shared that the unstable mobile/internet connection and the lack of available gadgets and equipment were the challenges they face that may affect their child’s learning process through distance education.
The survey also revealed that the difficulty in independent learning is also a challenge in the upcoming school year.
With their own survey results revealed, we now ask DepEd what it plans to do with the legitimate concerns raised by the parents and guardians of our learners.
The top concerns raised play a huge role in the education department’s plan on the blended learning modalities. Not having a stable internet connection would not allow the learner to join online classes. Not having available gadgets or equipment would limit the access of the learner to available learning materials, while those having difficulty in independent learning would ultimately greatly affect the quality of education that they will receive if the learner would simply be given modules for self-study.
We’re afraid the blended learning scheme of DepEd remains to be anti-poor and could create millions of out-of-school youth, leaving the poorest of the poor children behind.
The survey results of the DepEd also revealed that 600,000 parents said that no household member can provide support to the child. This is a huge number that should not be ignored; we’re talking about the quality of education here for children.
And yes, DepEd must ensure adequate safety protocols for students, teachers and non-teaching personnel.
DepEd should impose policies to ensure quality education and that will minimize the number of out-of-school youth in the country. Having at least 15 million out-of-school youth is unacceptable and is an indication of state neglect. DepEd should make sure they work double time in the preparation for the reopening of the next school year and make sure to leave no child behind.
