The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday started the test airing of television and radio episodes to be used for blended/distance learning this school year.
 
The Office of the Undersecretary for Administration (OUA), through the Information and Communications Technology Service (ICTS), announced that various episodes will be broadcasted daily starting at 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from August 11 to 21 August, 2020 - except on weekends - via IBC-13 and Solar.
 
In a memorandum issued by Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del Pascua, he said some of the episodes included in the test broadcast are “sample episodes or online lessons” while there are also “advocacy and information materials” inserted to mimic commercial advertisements. These, he added, “may later on be considered in the broadcasting schedule.”
 
Pascua also enjoined DepEd Regions and Divisions to test broadcast these episodes with their partner local Cable TV, TV and Radio stations following the same schedules.
 
Meanwhile, the ready-to-broadcast materials containing the video and audio lectures can be downloaded at https://bit.ly/DepEdVALectures while the video and audio lectures will be published at the DepEd Commons (https://commons.deped.gov.ph) starting August 10 in compressed formats that can be viewed using laptops, tablets, and/or cellphones.
 
Likewise, Pascua said that ready to print Self-Learning Modules (SLMs) and Electronic Self Learning Modules (e-SLMs) covering the first week of classes on August 24-28, 2020 will also be published in the DepEd Commons.
 
Pascua noted that simulations and dry runs for Blended Learning may also be undertaken by combining the utilization of SLM printouts, DepEd Commons materials (e-SLMS, TV and Radio Episodes, DLMS, etc.), and broadcasted TV and Radio episodes. “The combination of some or all of these materials already made available will provide a more accurate and concrete feel of ground situation, readiness and acceptability of blended learning,” he said.
 
On August 24, classes in public schools will officially start. DepEd said that some private schools have started their respective classes since July. Without face-to-face classes, schools will be using Blended/Distance approaches through alternative learning delivery modalities such as printed modules, online platforms and TV-radio based instruction.
 
As of August 11, DepEd data showed there are 23.05 million students enrolled for the upcoming school year. Of this number, 21.46 million students enrolled in public schools and 1.55 million in private schools.