May natututunan ba bata? Ronnie Ong wants DepEd to release detailed review of blended learning

By Billy Begas

Ang Probinsyano party-list Rep. Ronnie Ong urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to submit to Congress a full and truthful assessment of the implementation of the blended learning system.

Ong said that DepEd should provide the public, through Congress, with an “Ulat ng Bayan” report containing a detailed assessment of the blended learning system.

“By now, DepEd and CHED (Commission on Higher Education) should assess this system, and let the public know if it is effective so far. Are students really learning in this mode of learning? Are teachers coping with new methods? Ask and consult with both parents and teachers on interventions that can be made to improve the quality of learning our students are getting,” said Ong.

While there are some who have adopted the new mode of learning, the lawmaker said many remain struggling with online and module classes.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the country’s educational system adopted the new normal of learning when it resumed classes nationwide last October 5, 2020, with schools utilizing distance learning modality — a combination of online and modular learning.

Ong also supported the call for a gradual and properly phased shift to face-to-face classes in low-risk areas for the next academic school year that is set to begin in August.

He said many children in the countryside are hardly keeping up with the blended learning system and are completely left behind by their urban counterparts.

“Napag-iiwanan na ang marami sa ating mga probinsyanong mag-aaral lalong-lalo na sa mga lugar na wala naman talagang internet. While there is the modular system that is used as an alternative for online learning, I don’t think that they are learning enough,” the solon added.

Ong suggested holding by batch or by schedule classes like allowing students to come to campus twice a week.

He said free swab tests for students and teachers in public schools, like the newly-introduced saliva swab test, should also be considered.

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