Home-based learning remains in new normal: DepEd exec

According to the Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio, home-based learning is already part of education even after the pandemic.

“Kahit bumalik pa ang normal na tinatawag, new normal o better normal ang gusto ng iba, naniniwala ako na iyong home-based learning ay option ng bawat mag-aaral,” said San Antonio.

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According to San Antonio, in case limited face-to-face classes are still not allowed next school year, DepEd has a more effective system for distance learning, especially since many errors in learning resources have been corrected.

“Iyong mga natutunan natin ngayong taon ay gagamitin natin upang maging mas mabisa, mas maging maayos iyong mga sistemang ginagawa,” he said.

The current school year will end on July 10. President Rodrigo Duterte still needs to approve the start date of the School Year 2021-2022.

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DepEd earlier clarified that its plan to open the next school year on August 23 still depends on Duterte’s decision.

Home-based learning remains in new normal: DepEd exec

“The August 23 start date proposal is only one of the options since DepEd is mandated to open the school year not later than the last day of August under the same law unless the President intervenes,” the DepEd said in a statement.

According to Republic Act 7797, the start of the school year should be “on the first Monday of June but not later than the last day of August.” But a new law passed last year allows the president to adjust the opening of classes during a state of emergency or calamity.

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“We will be proposing various options for the President’s consideration,” the DepEd said without mentioning the other options.

“We are still conducting policy consultation and review with concerned stakeholders to determine the most appropriate course of action on this matter,” it added.

Meanwhile, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) urged the agency to give “due consideration to the well-being of both teachers and students.”

“DepEd has yet to provide answers on how it plans to grant teachers their rightful leave benefits and overtime pay, and it’s already presenting another problem,” it said in a statement.

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