DepEd-9's limited face-to-face class depends on PRRD's discretion

PAGADIAN CITY, Feb 5 (PIA) - Despite feedback from parents and children to return to the usual face to face classes, the Department of Education (DepEd-9) is awaiting the directive of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte if they continue or not.

At a press conference held recently, Regional Director Isabelita Borres said their agency is ready to implement a limited face-to-face class if the president approves its pilot implementation.

She said that on December 10, 2020, President Duterte first announced his approval for pilot implementation /dry run of face-to-face classes in low-risk areas, originally scheduled for January 2021 but the next day he revoked it.

Borres added that DepEd-9 has received suggestions from parents and children to implement face-to-face modality because learners want to see their teachers to help them understand the difficult content of the modules.

In their interview, it was found that parents also have difficulty understanding the modules which is why they are not able to help teach their children. "Besides, children can not concentrate on their studies because their parents will tell them to do household chores," Borres said.

Borres added that although the move is pending, DepEd 9 is already planning with school supervisors and heads in case this will be implemented.

“Of the 1,499 schools, only 37 of them committed to implement limited face-to-face class due to the large number of attached responsibilities. However, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has certified and the local government unit (LGU) has supported its implementation,” Borres said.

During this public health crisis, Borres said DepEd-9 faces many activities, demands, challenges, and problems especially in implementing a COVID time pandemic type of education -- the blended learning where multiple adaptations and adjustment were developed by the agency.

"We did a lot of adaptation and adjustment because I believe this is the key to survival," Borres concluded. (RVC/GCC/PIA9-Zamboanga del Sur)

Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)