Educating the masked learners
NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said that the immediate and safe resumption of face-to-face classes is anticipated to increase domestic activities and prevent future productivity losses. The resumption of face-to-face schooling will boost domestic activities and insulate the economy against external headwinds.(neda.gov.ph)
This week, the Department of Education (DepEd) said that public and private schools that offer basic education are expected to implement face-to-face classes this incoming school year (SY) 2022-2023.
As this develops, it becomes inevitable that our learners will return to their physical classrooms this year and try to live a normal life. At the height of the schools’ preparation for face-to-face classes, OCTA Research warns that COVID 19 outbreaks are unavoidable.
Under DepEd Order No. 034, s. 2022, starting November 2, 2022, all public and private schools shall have transitioned to 5 days of in-person classes. After the said date, no school shall be allowed to implement purely distance learning or blended learning except for those implementing Alternative Delivery Modes. So, there is no more turning back to pandemic times as the Order uses the imperative word “shall”.
Before the pandemic, our basic education system had faced several challenges. Aside from the usual logistical problems, the Philippines ranked lowest among 79 countries in reading comprehension in the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and second lowest in science and mathematics.
Our world ranking reflects that much is needed to be done by the education stakeholders. After two years of distance learning, masked learners will be trooping back to school, and their presence inside their physical classrooms will unmask the true state of the country’s education system.
Yesterday was the best time for the government and the private sector to work double time. Remember, in 2019, our ranking was already at rock-bottom. But better late than never since nothing is cast in stone.