DAVAO CITY – “Bond paper mo, kinabukasan Ko” is now a by-word among teachers struggling to solicit bond paper to facilitate the realization of their modules as the Department of Education (DepEd) has yet to provide funds for the materials.
The Blended learning is the new normal scheme which the department adopts for the school children to continue their education given the threat brought about by the coronavirus-19
The plight of the teachers under the new learning method further complicates the condition of the country’s educational system with teachers publicly soliciting for bond papers.
Teachers requesting donations from the private sector and individuals for the printing and reproduction of self-learning modules (SLM) which will be used by the learners under the BE-LCP.
North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco in a meeting with the teachers with the teachers in Midasayap town on August 13, was sad after teachers informed her that they are advised to solicit from friends bond papers and supplies for printing of learning modules.
Catamco learned that most, if not all, public school teachers have been taking initiatives by asking from friends and neighbors for the bond papers and supplies.
During the forum at Barangay San Pedro in Midsayap town, teachers revealed that they are struggling to get funds and sponsors for the purchase of bond papers to ensure modules are ready for the class opening.
Community initiative
“Some even barter their flowers and flower pots for bond papers” a teacher told the Governor.
They said that they also have a Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) appropriations from Department of Education that they can utilized for acquisition of supplies like bond papers, inks for computer printers, plastic folders, among others.
Mr. Gerald Lamug, the school’s Teacher-In-Charge, revealed that the MOOE could not cover the expenses of the needed supply. San Pedro ES has P66,000 for a quarterly budget.
“Hindi po ito kakasya mam, for 150 students from Kinder to Grade six in three months” Lamug revealed. as she needs at least 13 reams of bondpaper for a week. The 13 remains would amount to roughly P2,500 or 10,000 a month.
During the meeting Catamco immediately called Schools Division Superintendent Isagani dela Cruz, to inquire about the state of the teachers given the bond paper problem.
Dela Cruz explained that the DepEd has downloaded a budget intended for the printing of modules at P250.00 per learner and the fund will be downloaded before the class will start on October 5.
Given the situation, Catamco plans to augment the funds for the DepEd North Cotabato division as she set a metting with the local school board.
DepEd commitment
On Monday, the DepEd central office assured that funds will be available for the implementation of its Basic Education-Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) for the incoming school year.
“In our original budget, there was no specific allotment for the printing of modules but since we need to fund this [BE-LCP], we realigned our funds. We will continue to realign and modify because we have continuing programs,” DepEd Undersecretary for Finance Annalyn Sevilla said during the “Handang Isip, Handa Bukas” virtual media briefing.
“A total of PHP9 billion realigned funds for BE-LCP has been downloaded to the Regional Offices and the Schools Division Offices, PHP17 billion was realigned and modified, Special Education Fund was also aligned to LCP with a total of about PHP20 billion but we cannot account for all of these because the funds are in the local government units, and, also Brigada Eskwela efforts are also in support of the LCP,” Sevilla said.
She also noted that schools may use their maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) funds to reproduce and distribute SLMs to learners.
DepEd Undersecretary for Planning and Field Operations Jesus Mateo, in a television interview on Monday, reported that the department has distributed printed learning materials for the first quarter.
In the same media briefing, Education Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado San Antonio said the school year 2020 to 2021 will start on October 5, 2020, and will end on June 16, 2021.
Given the limitation of the DepEd and the struggle of the teachers under he new normal learning atmosphere, the learners and the teachers face the challenge of coping while learning.
Whether the new learning method is effective or not- no one can tell as yet, the fact remains, each family struggles to support their child as they are left with no choice but sit down and teach their students backhome.-Editha Z. Caduaya/Newsline.ph
