While the Department of Education (DepEd) recognizes the challenges faced by learners under the distance learning set-up, resorting to “dishonest” means just to complete the academic requirements is just extremely wrong - on so many levels.
Undersecretary for Administration Alain Pascua, during an online press conference in Negros Oriental this week, said that DepEd would never tolerate such practice especially the reported “sagot-for-sale” scheme.
Pascua said that so far, there is no such scheme reported to DepEd. “We have to verify this if there really is such a scheme,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation in the country, DepEd is currently implementing distance or blended learning where lessons are delivered to students through alternative learning modalities such as printed or offline modular, online, and television and/or radio-based instruction.
However, due to challenges in distance learning, it was reported that some students and even parents resort to such scheme.
Pascua, on the other hand, reminded parents and learners that engaging in such practice will be detrimental to them in the long run. “The purpose of our modules for for the children to learn, so they will the lessons,” he said. “This is not as easy as giving them the answer, if you do this, that is is cheating,” he added.
Moreover, Pascua warned that “what is at stake is the future of the children.” Thus, he urged parents and other stakeholders to work together to put a stop to such schemes.
“If there really is such as scheme, the people behind it should be reported to the police so they could be arrested,” Pascua ended.