An official of the Department of Education (DepEd) said that students in the basic education level are allowed to change their chosen learning modalities under the distance/blended learning to be implemented this upcoming school year to open on Oct. 5.
“We will definitely allow changes,” DepEd Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado San Antonio told the Manila Bulletin. “Those who received gadgets may no longer be in the printed modular option, perhaps after due notice has been made,” he added.
In July, San Antonio issued DM-CI-2020-00162 citing suggested strategies in implementing and managing the distance learning delivery modalities (DLDM) this School Year (SY) 2020-2021.
“This issuance covers descriptions and considerations for each DLDM, the map of learning resources for each DLDM, and proposed actions to address potential challenges in implementing DLDM,” San Antonio said.
DepEd said that distance learning may be implemented through the various delivery modalities including Modular Distance Learning (MDL) which can either be Digital Modular Distance Learning (DMDL) or Printed Modular Distance Learning (PMDL); Online Distance Learning (ODL), TV-Video/Radio-based Instruction (TV-Video/RBI) through TV-Video (SLM-based), TV-Video (MELCs Mapped), and Radio-Based Instruction (RBI); and Blended Distance Learning (BDL).
In accordance with the directive of the Office of the President that no face-to-face classes shall be held until the vaccine for COVID-19 becomes available, San Antonio said DLDM shall be implemented in both private and public schools at the basic education level this school year.
“Should the vaccine become available, parents and learners are still given the discretion to continue with distance learning as long as there is a qualified learning facilitator who shall guide and supervise the learner at home,” San Antonio added.