To immediately address errors in learning materials, the Department of Education (DepEd) has formally launched its “Error Watch” initiative.

The Office of the Undersecretary for Administration (OUA) announced the DepEd Error Watch initiative in “response to numerous reports about errors found in learning materials” released by the DepEd.

Undersecretary Alain Del Pascua said part of the tasks of this initiative is to receive and collate reports of errors found in different learning materials (i.e., Self-Learning Modules (SLMs), other printed materials, DepEd TV, DepEd Commons, DepEd TV YouTube Channel, etc.), and to forward these to the appropriate offices for validation and correction.

Pascua noted this comes after one week of close monitoring of the opening of schools, talking to teachers and students, and reading feedback on social media.

“We wish to immediately address these mistakes, with the help of our citizens,” Pascua said. “Magtulungan po tayo (let’s help each other), rather than bash the agency, the teachers and schools—this is the time for Bayanihan!” he added.

Currently, Pascua explained that all concerned DepEd offices are finalizing systems and processes to appropriately address error reports gathered by the agency.

Pascua noted that the “DepEd Error Watch” initiative will make use of three platforms for reporting, which will validate errors for immediate and proper correction.

Concerns may be reported through email by sending it to [email protected]; via text and Viber message through 0961-6805334; through Facebook Messenger: DepEd Error Watch (@depederrorwatch); and through Workchat DepEd Error Watch            (deped.workplace.com/groups/616392985671470/).

“All are advised to use the hashtag #depederrorwatch when submitting reports,” Pascua said.

Pascua added that dissemination of these details will enable an efficient and proactive system of improving the the DepEd’s learning materials across all modalities.

A Memorandum regarding DepEd Error Watch, Pascua said, was also sent out on Oct. 12 to all Regional Directors, Schools Division Superintendents, Public Schools District Supervisors, Principal and School Heads, as well as to the DepEd Execom and Mancom Members.

Since classes started on Oct. 5, the DepEd has been receiving criticisms for various “errors” found not only in printed learning materials but also in an educational episode broadcasted on TV.

As of Oct. 12, the DepEd said that it has noted 35 instances of errors, majority of these are attributed to locally-produced SLMs and learning materials of “unknown origins.”