'Unrealistic and insensitive'
Group slams holding of online classes instead of suspension during calamities
Published Jul 30, 2023 10:55 am
For a group of education workers, the conduct of online classes instead of suspending classes during calamities supported by the Department of Education (DepEd) is “unrealistic and insensitive.”
Classes in Isabelo Delos Reyes Elementary School in Manila were suspended due to heavy rains. (ALI VICOY / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
“In situations like typhoon and calamity, safety is our priority,” said Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines Chairperson Vladimer Quetua in a statement on Sunday, July 30.
“How do we conduct online classes when your learner and his/her family is currently flooded?” Quetua added.
ACT is reacting to the recent statement made by DepEd that classes during calamities will no longer be suspended calamities because online alternative delivery modes such as online classes can be implemented.
During the post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) discussions on July 26, DepEd Undersecretary and Spokesperson Michael Poa that DepEd is tapping into technology to address perennial problems in basic education.
Poa noted that among the “lessons learned” due to the pandemic is utilizing blended learning and other alternative delivery modes (ADMs).
Instead of suspending classes during typhoons, earthquakes, or other disasters, Poa said that “we are able to maximize learning continuity since we are on learning recovery mode.”
By institutionalizing blended learning, Poa said that only in-person classes are being suspended during calamities. “Our learners continue to study at home using what we call alternative delivery modes whether it be modules, blended learning, online learning --- that's what we are doing right now,” he explained in English and Filipino.
For ACT, DepEd’s statement is “unjust and inhumane.”
“This is also insensitive to the actual situation of our general public during calamities,” Quetua said.
For the group, Poa’s statement was also “unrealistic and insensitive” for all the teachers and students who are currently facing difficulties because of continuous typhoons.
ACT added that during calamities, the government --- which includes DepEd --- should be “thinking of ways on how to provide assistance to its constituents.”
“If the DepEd is really sincere in addressing the learning crisis, online classes during calamities is not the solution,” Quetua said.
“Fixing the problematic curriculum, sufficient funding (to address the backlogs in inputs) and implementing substantial salary increases for teachers and education support personnel are the solution,” he added.
Classes in Isabelo Delos Reyes Elementary School in Manila were suspended due to heavy rains. (ALI VICOY / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
“In situations like typhoon and calamity, safety is our priority,” said Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines Chairperson Vladimer Quetua in a statement on Sunday, July 30.
“How do we conduct online classes when your learner and his/her family is currently flooded?” Quetua added.
ACT is reacting to the recent statement made by DepEd that classes during calamities will no longer be suspended calamities because online alternative delivery modes such as online classes can be implemented.
During the post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) discussions on July 26, DepEd Undersecretary and Spokesperson Michael Poa that DepEd is tapping into technology to address perennial problems in basic education.
Poa noted that among the “lessons learned” due to the pandemic is utilizing blended learning and other alternative delivery modes (ADMs).
Instead of suspending classes during typhoons, earthquakes, or other disasters, Poa said that “we are able to maximize learning continuity since we are on learning recovery mode.”
By institutionalizing blended learning, Poa said that only in-person classes are being suspended during calamities. “Our learners continue to study at home using what we call alternative delivery modes whether it be modules, blended learning, online learning --- that's what we are doing right now,” he explained in English and Filipino.
For ACT, DepEd’s statement is “unjust and inhumane.”
“This is also insensitive to the actual situation of our general public during calamities,” Quetua said.
For the group, Poa’s statement was also “unrealistic and insensitive” for all the teachers and students who are currently facing difficulties because of continuous typhoons.
ACT added that during calamities, the government --- which includes DepEd --- should be “thinking of ways on how to provide assistance to its constituents.”
“If the DepEd is really sincere in addressing the learning crisis, online classes during calamities is not the solution,” Quetua said.
“Fixing the problematic curriculum, sufficient funding (to address the backlogs in inputs) and implementing substantial salary increases for teachers and education support personnel are the solution,” he added.