DAVAO CITY — Given the threat of a pandemic, the Philippine educational system adopted a blended learning approach for the second year on Monday September 13, the start of the school year 2021-022.
The Education Department has registered over 6.3 million learners for the year, but the figure is still insufficient, prompting the government to extend the deadline for students to enroll until September 31 in the hopes of attracting additional students.
On Tuesday, September 14, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced that 18,901,373 students had enrolled in public and private schools across the country for Academic Year (AY) 2021-2022.
According to the most recent data from the department’s Learner Information System Quick Count, 14,334,046 learners have enrolled as of August 31 and 4,557,327 during the early registration period that ended on June 2.
With 2,736,301 students enrolled, Region 4-A (Calabarzon) has the biggest number of students, with 2,225,592 students enrolled and 480,709 students registered early.
With 1,577,728 learners and 292,125 registrants, the National Capital Region had the second-highest number of students (1,869,853).
In the meantime, 154,670 students have signed up for the Alternative Learning System.
“As we continuously prepare for a smooth opening of classes, we are urging parents and learners to communicate with their respective schools for the enrollment procedures. I also call those who did not enroll last school year to register now,” Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said.
Secretary Briones also noted that there is considerable lag in reporting of enrollment data since some schools collate first the enrollment forms, particularly those through drop-box, before reporting.
In DepEd Order 032, series of 2021, the Department provided a range of options to facilitate the enrollment of learners in all public schools in basic education and Alternative Learning System (ALS) programs nationwide.
“To optimize the process and ensure the protection of health and safety of our education stakeholders, schools may facilitate dropbox enrollment through setting up booths and kiosk in front of the school, barangay hall, and other visible locations that are accessible to parents and guardians, subject to health and safety standards imposed by the IATF,” Sec. Briones added.
For incoming Grades 1-6, 8-10, and 12 learners, schools will contact their parents through their previous class advisers.
On the other hand, parents of incoming kindergarten, Grades 7 & 11 learners shall communicate/re-affirm their intent to enroll their children to a school of their choice via digital and/or physical enrollment platforms established by schools which is similar to procedures in early registration.
For transferees, Balik-Aral, and ALS enrollees, they must directly contact their preferred school through its published enrollment contact details.
Meanwhile, DepEd has also deferred the submission of documentary requirements for public and private schools to December 31, 2021. As such, schools shall not compel learners and their parents or guardians to take responsibility for the transmission of school records.
In Davao Region, 1.271 M students are backed in school.
DepEd XI Regional Director Allan Farnazo welcomes the students as a synchronized online opening ceremony was held.
“We welcome you to a vibrant, vigorous, victorious School Year 2021-2022,” Farnazo said during the resumption of classes’ kick-off ceremony held at Sto. Tomas Central Elementary School in Santo Tomas, Davao del Norte.
In the midst of the pandemic, the regional director expressed happiness because for the first time in Davao Region’s history, they reached 91.7 percent of their target enrollment.
“COVID 19 has made Davao Region more stable, braver and fighting during the pandemic,” Farnazo stressed.
The regional director revealed that self-learning module system will be continued as President Rodrigo Duterte has not yet allowed face-to-face classes.
Farnazo explained the President’s decision is based on protecting the students from COVID 19, particularly that the infection rate of its Delta variant is high among children.
And even with the challenges that teachers face, the regional director encourages them to be thankful because of the benefits they would be receiving, and to pray for continued work as millions of Filipinos lost their jobs because of the pandemic.
“Let’s put our minds and inspiration to the right opening of classes… that the Department of Education takes care of its people and fights for the interest of each member,” Farnazo said.
SCHOOL WOES
Many teachers and teaching personnel from all over Mindanao struggled to deliver the modules and other school materials to their students especially those in far-flung areas as rainy season in here.
Some parents rant against teachers for delaying the release of learning materials to their children, citing the fact that some students return items late.
Teacher Edna Jumao-aw, Filipino Department head of Valencia City National High School shared her sentiments to Newsline, “Often they got mad at us, as we explain the delay is due to non-submission of the materials by other students, but they do not understand us.”
Until now, Jumao-as said everyone is adjusting to the new normal learning system, which according to her is advantageous to millennials because they are technology savvy while those who are used to the traditional method struggles with the new system.
The sentiment of Juamo-aw is shared by her principal Ramelito Paloma, who said some parents confront them about the lack of school materials but, “I always explain to them that some materials are not yet returned and they need to wait for few days, some understands but other are really aggressive.”
On Friday however, the Department of Education said it was ready to test a limited return of face-to-face classes and was just waiting for President Rodrigo Duterte’s go signal.
The agency has sought Duterte’s approval for a pilot test of in-person classes in 100 public schools and 20 private schools in areas with low COVID-19 risk.
“Mahabang panahon na ang aming nagugol at sa aming pag-iisip, pagri-reflect, pag-aaral dito sa pilot face-to-face so handa na kami,” said Education Secretary Leonor Briones.
(We spent a lot of time mulling over, reflecting, and studying here in the pilot face-to-face so we are ready.)
“Ang hinihintay na lamang ang go signal ng Presidente. Pero handa ang Department of Education para sa pilot,” she said in a televised public briefing.
