The Department of Education (DepEd) has again received criticisms on one of its modules after a netizen posted an activity in the self-learning material discouraging students from attending peaceful assemblies.
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) responded to the viral post stating that “while respect for the law is a good value to teach, it is equally important to develop among our children critical thinking, especially when it comes to issues that affect us, not only personally, but as well as those national in scope.”
CHR spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline De Guia also pointed out that “love for one’s country is not limited to mere obedience, but can also be manifested through collectively tackling issues of our communities and the country.”
However, DepEd Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado San Antonio defended the issue disclosing that the module was not made for the school year 2020-2021. It is supposed to be a part of the effort on the past calamities of the country.
The module has not undergone quality assurance process and the DepEd Central Office did not give the go signal to use the module under distance learning. The department has also asked the public to refrain from making quick criticisms since it does not want to manipulate the decisions of the students.
“Sinisiguro natin na ang mga bata ay magkaroon ng tinatawag nating critical mind. Sa standards natin, hindi pwede na na idi-discourage ang mga kabataan na mag-participate sa mga produktibong pakikibahagi sa mga gawain ng ating bansa (We are making sure that children would have a critical mind. In our standards, we cannot discourage the youth from taking part in joining activities of the country).”
The DepEd has encouraged the public to report the modular errors through the DepEd Error Watch Initiative and using the #depederrorwatch in the posts of the modules with mistakes.
Report from Kenneth Paciente
