Some senators have expressed concern on the preparation of the Department of Education (DepEd) for the upcoming opening of classes on August 24.
The senators said they are not seeing an established plan of the department and that there are no final guidelines yet to be followed even with the school opening close at hand.
“As we speak right now, nagpi-print na ba kayo ng mga materyales na mga gagamitin? Nag-procure na kayo ng mga laptops na gagamitin ng teachers natin? (As we speak right now, have you been printing materials to be used and have you procured laptops for teachers?)” Sen. Nancy Binay asked.
“We don’t have funds to procure laptops or gadgets the way we are talking about it right now to use in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, kasi wala po ‘yan sa aming radar noong panahon po na nangyari ito (because it was not within our radar when it all happened),” DepEd USec. Tonisito Umali explained.
The DepEd admitted it needs more time to assess students. Umali said around 13 million have enrolled and are being reviewed and classified, depending on their capabilities.
USec. Diosdado San Antonio justified that “learning happens when a child is motivated regardless of the platform” and if there is effectivity of motivating children to engage in lessons, in response to Sen. Gatchalian’s query if children will be learning enough.
Based on the details discussed at the Senate hearing, more than 300,000 out of 800,000 public school teachers or only 40 percent have undergone training for distance learning.
“Hindi pa ho natin napag-uusapan content ng training module na binigay niyo sa mga teacher. Sa 40%, ano ang laman noon? No offense, baka napag-usapan doon e paano i-on and off. Di pa dito napag-usapan ang technological support (We have not yet discussed the content of the training modules given to teachers. Out of the 40%, what does it contain? No offenses meant, maybe the only thing discussed is how to turn it on and off. The technological support has not yet been discussed),” Sen Francis Tolentino raistd.
The DepEd committed its July deadline to submit the data requested by the senators. – Report from Eunice Samonte
