As it welcomes a new year, the Department of Education (DepEd) assured that it will continue to address existing and emerging needs in education especially in the implementation of distance learning amid the continued threat of COVID-19 and its reported new strain.
“We will continue facing these challenges (and) we will continue to adjust to the changing needs for education,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said. Among its recent initiatives to address challenges in education is the integration of technical assistance in improving delivery of basic education services.
“We will continue projecting what the future of education will be and we will continue developing ways by which, such creative ways will enhance the role of teachers in implementing DepEd programs and initiatives.”
In December, the department launched “DepEd Teaches” to further assist teachers in the new normal from the COVID-19 pandemic. Briones said that the DepEd Teaches initiative is a contribution of the Curriculum and Instruction strand to support the efforts of DepEd in communicating with its various stakeholders. “It serves as a mechanism for providing technical assistance to the field as we are adapting to the new normal in basic education,” she added.
DepEd Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado San Antonio explained that the program also aims to address confusion and doubts on curriculum, instruction, and assessment initiatives of the department.
San Antonio explained that the presence of the intense communication mechanism between the teachers and the home – including parents and students – greatly influences the effectiveness of the learning activities for distance learning delivery modality.
“If there is constant communication, doubts, confusions, and uncertainties and even the difficult activities or problems that have been assigned to be undertaken and solved by learners will be addressed effectively,” San Antonio said.
In order to create a community of practice on curriculum, instruction, and assessment issues, “DepEd Teaches” will run episodes featuring best practices from regional directors, schools division superintendents, school principals, and teachers starting January.
Other educational experts will also be invited to render talks on current issues and trends in basic education.