Vice President Leni Robredo on Saturday urged the government and other concerned agencies to implement strategic measures that would help address lingering concerns on school opening scheduled on Oct. 5.
Robredo delivered the keynote message for the virtual launch of the Movement for Safe, Equitable, Quality, and Relevant Education (SEQuRE) where she cited some concerns on school opening amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Binago ng COVID-19 ang takbo ng mundo at ng buhay ng bawat tao at isa sa pinakaapektado dito ang sektor ng edukasyon (COVID-19 has changed the course of the world and the lives of every person and the education sector is one of the most affected),” she said.
As the country grapples with the pandemic, Robredo said that there are so many challenges that need to be responded to especially in the education system.
Since there will be no face-to-face classes when the School Year (SY) 2020-2021 opens next month, the Department of Education (DepEd) will implement distance and blended learning approach using alternative learning delivery modalities.
However, Robredo said that the shift of the system to distance learning raised various concerns and issues among teachers, parents, and students. Among these include the lack of gadgets for students and teachers for online classes and internet connectivity.
“Hindi lahat ng guro may training kung paano magturo online at hindi lahat ng magulang may kakayahang tutukan ‘yung pag-aaral ng mga anak nila sa bahay (Not all teachers were trained teach online and not all parents have the capability to supervise their children’s learning at home),” Robredo said.
To address these concerns, Robredo cited the importance of putting up learning hubs in far-flung areas to help the students who do not have access to technology or to the Internet.
Robredo also underscored the need to conduct capacity-building and training for teachers to enable them to utilize technology better and address concerns in resources especially in the printing of modules.
Since the private schools are also affected, Robredo urged the government to help them to meet the requirements for blended learning “instead of giving them additional requirements and paperwork.”
Recognizing that education is everyone’s business, Robredo called on all stakeholders to work together and focus their resources to address these school opening concerns.
“Kailangan nating tutukan ang edukasyon sa gitna ng pandemya para masegurong hindi na tatawid pa sa susunod na henerasyon ang masasamang epekto nito (We need to focus on education in the midst of the pandemic to ensure that its ill effects do not pass on to the next generation),” Robredo said.
“Tumigil man ang mundo dahil sa COVID-19, hindi puwedeng huminto ‘yung pagaaral ng mga kabataaan dahil isa ito sa mga instrumento natin sa pagbuo ng isang better normal (Even if the world stops because of COVID-19, the education of young people cannot stop because it is one of our instruments in building a better normal).”