The Department of Education (DepEd) enjoined students and teachers, as well as parents and school heads, to utilize other learning delivery modalities under the distance learning setup as it seeks to reduce the use of printed learning modules.
In lieu of face-to-face classes, DepEd is currently implementing distance learning on the basic education level. Students may choose from multiple learning delivery modalities, including modular (printed or digitized), online learning, radio and television-based instruction. or a combination of these (blended learning).
Of all the options for learning delivery, DepEd said that printed modular was the “most preferred choice” of students and parents. However, Education Secretary Leonor Briones said that this option is not “very sustainable” since printed self-learning modules are “expensive” and harmful to the environment.
DepEd has been pushing for the use of other learning delivery modalities aside from printed modules. In particular, DepEd is promoting the use of other delivery modes especially in areas that were battered by the recent typhoons that hit the country.
During their site visit in the affected schools in Bicol, Undersecretary for Administration Alain del Pascua and Undersecretary for Field Operations Revsee Escobedo stressed that distance learning is “not limited to modular learning” as DepEd’s Learning Continuity Plan (LCP) offers more modalities.
“Sa ating mga teacher, sa ating mga principal at sa ating mga estudyante, huwag lang module ang ating tignan (For our teachers, principals and students, let’s not focus on (printed) modules alone),” Pascua said.
Pascua reiterated that printed modules is “just a part” of distance learning. “Nandiyan ang radyo, TV, Internet, at cellphone, gamitin po natin lahat para tayo ay matuto at gamitin natin lahat sa pagtuturo (There’s radio, TV, Internet, and cellphone, let’s all use these to learn and teach),” Pascua added.
DepEd cited how the schools in the Bicol region capitalize on the advantages of radio-based instruction (RBI) as they move forward on the current school year. In the aftermath of the recent typhoons in the country, DepEd said that thousands of printed learning materials were damaged.
School Division of Sorsogon City Superintendent Willie Gando cited the functions and potentials of RBI.
The Jesalva Delgado Memorial Elementary School (JDMES) in Sorsogon City is currently utilizing the RBI called “Radyo Eskwela” for the learners. DepEd said that this is “more convenient, especially in times of calamities where self-learning modules have been damaged.”
Pulangui Radyo Eskwela of the Schools Division of Albay also provided learning materials to the learners through FM radio frequency. The ALS-RBI of Tabaco City also paved the way for learning continuity.
The frequency (SKY Radio 93.1 FM) of the radio program also covers other municipalities and cities in Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Legazpi, and Ligao which also gave access to other schools and learners in their learning activities, health education, mental, and psychosocial support programs.
Through collaborations with local radio stations, local government units, and other stakeholders, various schools introduced FM radio projects that will help the students in attaining quality education.
Gando also noted that even after the pandemic, the RBI method could still be applied for the reason that it gives them an “easier avenue to communicate with their learners and community.”