Amid the challenges faced by the education brought by the pandemic, the Department of Education (DepEd) further promotes the importance of “shared responsibility” among stakeholders including local governments and parents to ensure the continued delivery of education to all Filipino learners.

“Education is truly a shared responsibility,” Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said.

“It takes a village to educate a child and this collaboration among parents, the teachers, and the society is important especially during this time of the pandemic,” she added.

To further highlight the concept of “shared responsibility” in education, DepEd cited the efforts of its regional office in Cagayan Valley in the implementation of limited face-to-face classes.

DepEd-Region II, on the other hand, credited its partners --- including local government officials and parents --- for the “success” of the pilot face-to-face classes in the region.

A total of ten public schools participated in the pilot implementation of face-to-face classes in the region.

Regional Director Benjamin Paragas said that the local government units (LGUs), various sectors, communities, and every single individual and organization “put their best foot forward in the name of every Filipino learner in the region.”

In support of the pilot implementation of limited face-to-face classes in the region, Paragas said that DepEd Region II introduced “Project NEB” or eNriching Education through #BayanihanHealAsOne, an operational plan of DepEd Region II to strengthen linkages between school heads, LGUs, Barangays, PTAs, government organizations, and non-government organizations

Paragas also shared that before the start of the implementation of the pilot face-to-face, the Regional Office established partnerships with barangay officials and other stakeholders to ensure the safety of participating learners and teachers by strictly following health protocols.

During the implementation stage, barangay health workers reported at triage to monitor the proper execution of health protocols in schools.

Barangay officials and volunteer parents also conducted disinfection and sanitation activities inside the classrooms.

Meanwhile, some participating schools in Cagayan Valley gave rewards such as school supplies, snacks, and simple tokens as motivation to learners. Other schools also provided complete school supplies, snacks, and vitamins to learners.

Parents also volunteered to cook, prepare snacks for teachers, parents, and barangay officials on duty.

Moreover, feedback mechanisms were also established between teachers and school heads on what transpired during the day to help improve school operations and learning delivery throughout the region.

“As we continue education during these challenging times, we reaffirm our commitment in pushing forward the agenda of an accessible, quality and relevant, and truly liberating basic education for all,” Paragas said.