By: SOFRONIO D. ARIZALA JR.
Principal II
Nursery High School

“Those who are learned will be as radiant as the sky in all its beauty; those who instruct the people with goodness will shine like the stars for all eternity” – Daniel 12:3

 Enrollment Data from DepEd as of October 2020, showed that over 24 million learners enrolled in public and private schools for School Year 2020-2021. This is around 89.63 percent of last year’s 27.7 million. There is an increase in enrollment in public schools while the enrollment in private schools have decreased because some 400,000 learners transferred from private to public schools.

With the start of classes, major concerns were noted. According to Senator Angara, Internet connectivity is not stable and Curriculum and Educational Materials are still to be printed.

Based on survey, 59% of students used printed modules, 20% opted for online learning and 20% chose offline digital. TV and Radio and blended learning are supplemental in other areas.

DepEd initially has the following options adopted as learning modalities:

1. 1. 1. Face to face – still subject to physical distancing and minimum health standards; minimum class size of 15 – 20 will be observed.
      2. Blended Learning – a combination of face to face (F2F) and online distance learning, modular distance learning and/or TV/Radio-based instructions.
      3. Distance Learning – will make use of either modular distance learning, online distance learning or TV/Radio based instructions

            Distance Learning have two (2) types;

1. 1. 1. Modular Distance Learning – use of printed materials crafted by teachers and authors.
      2. Online Distance Learning – make use of the modalities provided by DepED, such as DepED Commons.
      3. Home Schooling – this is facilitated by qualified parents, guardians or tutors who have undergone relevant training and subject to regulation

With the health and safety of the learners and teaching personnel as the primary concern of our DepEd officials, Distance Learning was finally adopted by all the schools nationwide.

Expectedly, there were several issues met on Distance Learning considering that our schools, from the officials, teachers and school heads and the learners are not prepared for this sudden shift in this new normal in learning. Some of these are:

Lack of Support – primarily from the teachers who is the main source of knowledge and learning and the limited assistance from the parents. Indeed, for a learner, not being in a classroom comes with a sense of lack of support.

Feeling of Isolation -This all boils down to the absence of a classroom. Because you may not have a community to relate with, you may feel lonely and alone. Psychological issues may then arise.

Academic Discipline – Distance learning students often struggle with discipline. Not being in a classroom in front of a teacher and having to make your own schedule and stick with it can be challenging to most of the learners.

Technology – the availability of reliable internet service speed and quality connectivity at all times

Technical Element – this has been the most substantial issue of distance learning. Technicality involves the availability of devices both for students and teachers. These are Mobile phones. Computers, Laptops, Printers and Internet Connection.

Self-Learning Module’s Reliability – being the pivotal instrument of this new norm, its content should meet the standard learning capacity of a student. Given that these instructional materials will be assessed by students on their own.

Sense of Authority– as mentioned, the luxury of being less pressured. Parents become teachers, but do not see to be as one.

Focus and Concentration – the comfort of studying at home with less or no supervision at all. Students tend to divert their attention instead of focusing on and prioritizing their homeschooling first.

Parent’s / Guardian’s Educational Background – it may sound off but let’s face the reality that not all parents are well equipped with proper education.

Different reactions were noted in the environment of learning. Some parents compete with other parents in the performance of their children. Some of them also complained with the added burden in attending also (multi-task) to their child’s lesson at home. Teachers, too whines with their personal expenses on the printing of modules and the distractions while working from home. While learners who are in the secondary level looked for jobs and some others got married.

Despite all these challenges, Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones maintained that opening of classes last October 5, 2020 was a “victory” itself.