Noting the importance of technology amid the Covid-19 pandemic and in the age of modernization, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones said that the country will still utilize aspects of blended learning for the upcoming school year.
This was stated by Briones, on Tuesday, May 31, as she reiterated the Philippines will not “let go” of blended learning as she encourages all public and private schools to conduct in-person classes for the upcoming school year (SY) 2022-2023.
“Patuloy pa rin ang hybrid learning dahil nakikita natin na ang palakad sa mundo ngayon ay combination din ng face to face, digital, at tiyaka iba’t-ibang klaseng communication (We will still use hybrid learning because we are seeing that the trend in the world today is also a combination of face to face, digital, and of course various types of communication),” said Briones in a virtual presser.
“Hindi natin bibitiwan ‘yung aspects ng blended learning lalo na sa technology, communication, at sa digitalization. Alam naman natin na talagang nandyan na, pero ang face to face mahalagang mahalaga ‘yan sa social development ng mga bata, mga very advanced students, as well as those na kailangan din ng direct guidance ng teachers (We will not let go of the aspects of blended learning, especially in technology, communication, and digitalization. We know that it is already there, but face to face is very important for the social development of children, very advanced students, as well as those who also need the guidance of teachers),” she furthered.
Meanwhile, Briones said that the country should not abandon technology, digitalization, and Philippine history, adding that neither face-to-face classes should be abandoned as humans have to deal with fellow humans even amid the era of digitalization.
On Monday, May 30, Briones encouraged all schools in the country to conduct in-person classes for SY 2022-2023. DepEd Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio, on the other hand, clarified that they are “encouraging” all schools to hold in-person classes, but he added that DepEd is eyeing to implement a “blended set up,” a style of education in which students learn via electronic and online media as well as traditional face to face teaching.