The Department of Education (DepEd) was asked to clarify reports that some learners have yet to receive printed self-learning modules (SLMs) in time for the current grading quarter.
The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC), a 30,000-strong group, urged the leadership of the Education department to verify reports that in some schools, the SLMs intended for the previous quarter were yet to be delivered.
"DepEd mismo ang nagsasabi na nakahanda na ang modules after the 1st Quarter, hindi na rin daw maghahagilap ang mga guro ng papel at hindi na rin magpi-print ng kanya-kanyang modules (It came from DepEd itself that the modules are ready after the First Quarter and teachers will no longer have to look for paper and there will ne no need to print their respective modules), TDC Chairperson Benjo Basas in on Friday, April 23.
“Pero may mga ulat po tayo na ang modules for 2nd quarter ay dumating kung kelang gumagawa ng grades for second grading ang mga guro (But we have reports that the modules for 2nd Quarter came when the teachers were already doing grades for second grading),” Basas said.
Based on the calendar for School Year (SY) 2021-2022, students in public schools are studying lessons under the third quarter. “Halfway thru the 3rd quarter, wala pa ring modules na ginagamit ang nga bata (students do not still have modules that they can use),” he added.
Given this, Basas said that DepEd needs to clarify and explain the “delays and non-delivery” of SLMs - particularly the printed ones. “Mukhang kailangang magpaliwanag ang DepEd tungkol dito. Ito ang dapat niyang inaatupag hindi ang profiling ng teachers (DepEd seems to need to explain about this. This is what he should be doing, not the profiling of teachers),” he added while taking a jab at the recent directive of DepEd to make an inventory of who among its personnel are members of TDC and the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT).
Due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation in the country, DepEd was forced to delay the opening of classes for this SY. When President Duterte prohibited the conduct of face-to-face classes, DepEd developed its Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP).
Under the BE-LCP, multiple learning delivery modalities are implemented which include modular (printed and offline); online; radio and television-based instruction and blended learning.
DepEd said that printed modular is the “most preferred choice” of parents and learners - thus, DepEd reviewed and re-calibrated its budget in order to fund the BE-LCP.
Students who have chosen printed modular are given copies of the SLMs which are submitted and retrieved by their parents in their respective schools.
However, due to the declaration of Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila and other nearby provinces, some schools suspended the physical submission and retrieval of printed SLMs to ensure the safety of both teachers and the learners’ parents.
*Lanie (not her real name) is a Grade 7 teacher in a public school. She said that the school is currently not allowing the use of printed modules. Instead, “LeaP” or learners packet is being used as a substitute for this as reference.
Lanie told the Manila Bulletin that the copies of the LeaP are made accessible via Google Classroom. “For those who cannot access the Google Classroom, we sometimes send it through Facebook Messenger,” she added.
While she understands the importance of following health protocols for everyone’s safety, she could not help “but feel sorry for her students who do not have gadgets that they can use for studying.”