The Department of Education (DepEd) on Sunday called on parents not to answer the students’ worksheets and modules, but only to guide them in learning.
In an online media forum a day before classes open in public schools, Education Undersecretary Tonisito Umali said it is important for parents to play a role in the new set-up of education. Still, it does not mean that they will take over the child’s activities in school.
“Hindi po sila ang dapat sasagot ng pagsusulit o takdang aralin o gawaing pang-upuan ng mga bata. Klaro po ‘yan,” said Umali.
(They are not the ones who should answer the test or the assignment or the children’s chairwork. That is clear.)
According to Umali, there was a meeting with parents on how to guide children in learning.
He said schools also have a system to find out if students really understand the lesson.
“Ang mahalaga po nito, siguruhin niyo lamang na sa paraan ng paggabay niyo ay natututo ang mga bata,” said Umali.
(The important thing is, just make sure that the children will learn by the way you teach them.)
DepEd also announced earlier that public schools would not give periodical tests this year as the education system implements distance learning amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Also read: DepEd ready to open classes on October 5
DepEd call on parents not to answer modules
Diosdado San Antonio, Undersecretary for curriculum and instruction, said written outputs and performance tasks would be used to assess students’ learning.
“Ang periodic test, 20 percent ng grade eh. Ang i-a-administer mo, isang araw lang. Ang feeling namin, that’s very unfair to the learner, lalo na ang mga learner ngayon, iba’t iba ang situwasyon,” San Antonio said in an interview.
(The periodic test is only 20 percent of the grade. It is administered for a day. We feel that it’s very unfair to the learner, especially to our learners in different situations.)
San Antonio added teachers could ask the students to write a reflection paper, record a speech, and give other activities that would evaluate their performance.
Some teachers conducted last-minute distribution of modules yesterday.
Due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19, schools will implement distance learning, where children can learn from their homes through modules, online classes, television, and radio.