DepEd conducts last-minute distribution of self-learning modules

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 3) — Two days before basic education classes start, the Department of Education is still distributing self-learning modules to students, after parents failed to pick them up in schools.

“Kung mayroon pa pong paghahanda na nangyayari ay iyan iyong last-minute distribution ng ating self-learning modules...Ngayon hanggang bukas, talagang kumikilos na ang kagawaran kasama ang ating partners sa pamahalaang lokal para masiguro na makarating ang self-learning modules na ito," Education Undersecretary Tonisito Umali said in a briefing

[Translation: If there are preparations being made for the new school year, that's the last-minute distribution of self-learning modules...From today until tomorrow, DepEd and its local government partners are working to ensure the distribution of the self-learning modules.]

Umali said parents are supposed to pick up the learning materials and return activity sheets in schools every one or two weeks. DepEd earlier said some public school students would have to share materials as funds for the provision of modules were cut under the proposed 2021 national budget.

A teachers’ group insists the government should increase the budget of the department to provide all learners with their own modules amid the coronavirus threat.

“Dapat magkaroon ng sapat na allocation sa education natin para magkaroon ng sapat na bilang ng modules,” Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Secretary-General Raymond Basilio said in a briefing.

[Translation: There should be enough allocation for education so that there will be enough modules.]

ACT noted that some teachers in Cebu are struggling to reproduce the self-learning modules due to lack of materials.

Umali said 80 percent of the modules have been distributed to students as of the third week of September.

More than 24 million basic education students have so far enrolled for the school year 2020 to 2021. Most of them, or 22.5 million, are registered in public schools.

Due to the lack of gadgets or access to the internet, most of the students preferred printed modules as their alternative learning delivery mode.