Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 12) — Educators will undergo training in distance learning once enhanced community quarantine is lifted to prepare for the “new normal” where there will be limited face-to-face classes, an association of private schools said Tuesday.
Lawyer Joseph Noel Estrada, managing director of Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations or COCOPEA, told CNN Philippines’ New Day that private schools are 60 percent ready to introduce flexible learning options.
This will substantially increase after the government allows school personnel to report for work, Estrada added. COCOPEA represents 2,500 private schools nationwide.
General community quarantine is implemented in all parts of the country except in the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, Central Luzon (excluding Aurora), Pangasinan, Benguet, including Baguio City, Iloilo, Cebu, Bacolod City, Davao City, Albay and Zamboanga City which are under stricter enhanced community quarantine. This will last until May 15, unless extended or modified by the government.
For its part, public school teachers will also go through capacity building for several platforms they may use to deliver lessons remotely.
Education Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio told CNN Philippines that the department is in the process of developing self learning modules that will be printed out for students who do not have access to internet and electronic learning materials for those who have.
San Antonio said that DepEd teachers will be tasked to make activity sheets for the learning materials once they render their services physically or virtually beginning June 1.
The hard copies of the materials may be delivered to the homes of the students if they are from areas where strict stay-at-home order is imposed.
The Department of Education earlier said the next school year will formally open on August 24, but private schools could start as early as the first Monday of June.
However, no face-to-face classes will be allowed earlier than August 24.
