ILOILO – Are public elementary and high schools ready with their learning modules?
They are reopening this Aug. 24 but classes will be conducted differently – through learning modules as preferred by most parents surveyed – due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But who will foot the bill for the reproduction of the learning modules in various subjects?
A public elementary school principal in the 2nd District told Panay News that teachers not just in her school district but elsewhere are struggling to reproduce the learning modules prepared by the Iloilo Schools Division for lack of resources.
“The Division office prepared the modules’ contents and emailed them to various school districts for reproduction,” according to the principal who asked not to be identified for lack of authority to speak on the matter.
Reproducing or printing the modules is the biggest challenge. The lack of resources is forcing school heads and teachers to solicit bond papers and even printers.
“Each subject of each grade level has modules for different lessons or topics. This must be reproduced or printed. A bigger student population requires the printing of an equal number of modules for each student. The work is staggering,” the principal told Panay News.
As of July 17, the Iloilo Schools Division records showed the province with 176,438 public school-enrolled learners from Grade 1 to Grade 6; 25,070 enrolled learners for Kindergarten; 121,744 enrolled learners for Junior High School; and 48,238 enrolled learners for Senior High School.
Parents are equally worried that come Aug. 24, schools won’t be ready to distribute the modules, said the principal.
In this province, the Iloilo Provincial School Board (IPSB) chaired by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. allotted P52 million to support the Department of Education (DepEd) Iloilo Schools Division’s Learning Continuity Plan.
The budget would help the Iloilo Schools Division produce learning materials/modules and even contracting local radio stations for school-on-air classes targeting schoolchildren who may not have access to the internet for online classes.
Officials of DepEd’s Region 6 office could not be reached for comment yesterday. It was unclear if the regional office had received funds from its central office for the needed learning materials.
Provincial Administrator Suzette Mamon, the IPSB secretary, said the School Board came up with P52 million from funds of its other programs such as sports development.
“Gin-realign naton to cover the amount needed for blended classes in the new normal,” she stressed.
Dr. Roel Bermejo, Iloilo Schools Division superintendent, thanked the school board.
“Ang aton request sa provincial government amo ang mga kinahanglanon para mapasiguro ang implementation sang Learning Continuity Plan. Nalipay kita sa positibo nga response,” said Bermejo.
The plan, as envisioned by DepEd central office, features several learning delivery modalities. These are the following:
* face-to-face learning – Children in COVID low-risk areas will be allowed to physically report to school. Minimum health standards would be observed such as disinfection of the school, washing of hands, wearing of facemask, checking of body temperature, and observing physical distancing.
* distance learning – online classes (internet connection needed); modular (printed or electronic materials needed); radio-based or television-based instruction
* blended learning – combination of learning modes
* homeschooling – parents will serve as the children’s teachers
However, a survey that DepEd itself conducted that most parents preferred distance learning, and specifically through learning modules if not online./PN
