The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday assured that the learning materials produced for the use of students in public schools undergo quality assurance before these are distributed.

DepEd issued this statement following a viral photo of a self-learning module (SLM) attributed to the department which used “dirty” names in some of its exercises. “We would like to clarify that a certain viral photo of a module page with provocative terms was not created by the DepEd,” the agency said.

Based on its initial investigation, DepEd said that a private Catholic school in Zambales produced the said module. 

In a Senate hearing for DepEd’s 2021 budget, officials of the agency were asked about the quality of SLMs being produced. A photo of an activity in a module, which has now become viral, contains names with dirty sexual connotations. This module was attributed to DepEd.

DepEd assured that learning resources in public schools have “undergone quality assurance through our education specialists and our modules have yet to be utilized formally since public schools” will open on Oct. 5.

In light of this incident, DepEd said that it will “continue to investigate the matter and exhaust legal remedies to ensure that school learning materials, in public and private schools, foster quality education and the best interest of children.”  

With the Republic Act 11476 or the GMRC and Values Education Act enacted, DepEd said that it will continuously promote good manners and right conduct among basic education institutions to “provide a good example to our learners.”