Tolentino concerned about DepEd’s capability to train teachers on distance learning: Kaya ba?

By JOHN CARLO M. CAHINHINAN

Administration Sen. Francis Tolentino has raised concerns over the Department of Education’s (DepEd) capability to train all of its teachers on distance learning less than two months before the start of the new school year.

According to Tolentino, only 337,486 public school teachers have been trained by DepEd’s Information, Communications Technology Service (ICTS) on Information and Communication Technology-based instruction.

“The figure is just about 40 percent of the total public school teaching population of more than 800,000. Malapit na po iyong August 24 school opening so paano po ito?” Tolentino asked the DepEd during Thursday’s inquiry of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture.

“Kung ready na po iyong 40 percent, papaano po iyong 60 percent?” he asked.

Tolentino cited an international study, wherein preparation for the proper implementation of distance learning would take around six to nine months.

DepEd Usec. Diosdado San Antonio responded to Tolentino’s query, saying the agency is eyeing to provide needed training for the remaining 60 percent of teachers.

“There are also local initiatives from the division offices, regional offices where the teachers are also being given training activities,” the official said.

During the hearing, San Antonio admitted that only a few schools have been training their teachers on distance learning.

Tolentino also raised concern over DepEd’s capability to meet the needs of the growing number of enrollees and the content of modules that will be given to students.

Tolentino earlier Senate Bill No. 1460, which seeks to develop a national education policy framework for online or broadcast learning delivery amid the coronavirus pandemic.

SB 1460 seeks to expand the basic education curriculum by increasing the functions of the Bureau of Learning Delivery to include distance education and online learning.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)