The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday commended various external partners for supporting its Basic Education-Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) as it prepares for the nationwide opening of public schools on Oct. 5.
Education Secretary Leonor Briones, during the virtual “Handang Isip, Handa Bukas” press conference, lauded the support of various external partners for extending help to DepEd as it moves towards the opening of classes amid a pandemic.
“It is wonderful to feel that DepEd is not alone,” Briones said. “Education is everyone’s business so we are very pleased and touched with the degree of support we get from our external partners,” she added.
During the briefing, UNICEF Philippines Chief of Education Isy Faingold disclosed some of the initiatives of the organization in support of DepEd’s BE-LCP. “We are preparing materials that would be helpful in early education,” he said.
Through DepEd Commons, UNICEF is also converting contents into interactive e-books to reach a wider audience that have access to technology and has been helping in the capacity building for teachers and parents.
Faingold noted that the COVID-19 is the “most complex challenge that the education system has faced” so far. “We have not seen such a challenge and given this, we need to need to work together and be a part of the solution,” he added.
To help ensure that teachers are prepared to navigate the challenges of the new normal, the Philippine Normal University (PNU) is also partnering with DepEd on various professional development initiatives.
PNU president Dr. Bert Tuga explained that there are “customized programs” for teachers and other specialists. PNU Vice President for Academics Jennie Jocson added that there also are various professional development programs and courses for teachers under the PNU-DepEd partnership.
Research Center for Teacher Quality (RCTQ) Director Dr. Gina Gonong assured that they continue to provide research and technical assistance to DepEd through the National Education Teachers Academy (NEAP) especially in the induction for new teachers.