The Provincial Government of Palawan will support the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Basic Education- Learning Continuity Plan by procuring some 33,320 units of electronic gadgets such as tablets which will be utilize by the students through Modular Distance Learning.
In a press release, the Provincial Government said that Governor Jose Ch. Alvarez has already committed to support the DepEd. In a resolution sponsored by Board Member Ryan D. Maminta, the Provincial Government of Palawan has allocated P123-Million financial subsidy from the reprogrammed Special Education Fund (SEF) for the purchase of some 33,320 units of gadgets/ tablets for distribution to learners. Senior High School will get the share of 24,655 units while the remaining 8,665 will be equitably shared to the 23 municipalities.
Last week, the DepEd has presented their Learning Continuity Plan to the Provincial Board of Palawan, in an effort to prepare the opening of classes on August 24, 2020, via the Modular Distance Learning.
Dr. Loida Olavario, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent of the DepEd-Palawan said that they have already conducted survey to students from the different municipalities, to know their most preferred learning modalities.
“Nag-conduct kami ng survey nitong May 2020 para sa appropriate modalities, marami ang nagsabi nang face-to-face interaction pero hindi pwede dahil mayroong health protocol tayo, then next yung Modular Distance Learning na which maiiwasan ang face-to-face interaction ng mga estudyante at guro,” said Dr. Olavario.
The DepEd said that the Modular Distance Learning is considered as the most ‘practical mode of learning delivery’ in the different public schools in Palawan since this can be easily facilitated by the teachers.
Among the initiatives of the DepEd as part of their preparation for the start of the upcoming school year is to conduct meeting with local government officials, and orient the parents on Learning Continuity Plan. They also intend to implement the Bridging Program for Grade 7 and Grade 11 students.
“We also have the contingency plan kung sakaling kulangin ang budget para sa pag-purchase ng tablets… 24,655 Senior High School ang priority na mabigyan ng tablet dahil malapit na rin silang mag-graduate…” said Dr. Olavario.
The Provincial Board has recommended the DepEd to conduct dry run together with the LGUs.
The coronavirus disease (Covid)-19 has brought changes in the service-delivery of DepEd. Given the anticipated disruptions in face-to-face holding of classes, and the need for social distancing, distance learning will be a major component of learning delivery for the incoming school year.
In response to the challenges brought by the current public health crisis, the DepEd will implement the Basic Education-Learning Continuity Plan to continue the student’s education amidst the crisis while ensuring the health, safety and well-being of the learners, teachers and personnel. The innovations include the adoption of various learning delivery options such as but not limited to face-to-face, blended learnings, distance learning, and homeschooling and other modes of learning-delivery.