I am so delighted that our school has come up with this remarkable undertaking, the creation of our School Website. I welcome and value the positive energy and dedication of all who work for it.

This is an incredible and productive avenue for all DepEd Officials, administrators, teachers, staff, parents, pupils and all stakeholders to work together towards a common goal; to sustain holistic instruction in nurturing education to produce responsible, caring and performing pupils.

Our competent and devoted teachers and staff are working too hard to deliver quality education that our children deserve most specifically under the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan brought about by the CoViD-19 pandemic.

Learning must continue amidst the threat of the deadly virus. We need to reach our learners, our parents and stakeholders. Other learning modalities aside from printed modules are used to transfer learning. The A Learning, Anywhere, Anytime and Anyone is another option. Flexibility and resiliency are the need of the hour.

While pupils are on distance learning, I am especially pleased that we have provided them with new constructed and repaired classrooms, Clinic, Learning Resource Center, Gymnasium and other facilities. This is done to meet the mobility and instructional needs of our children when face to face instruction will be allowed.

We may not be in the normal again before this pandemic. This is the new normal that has changed the way we teach and learn. But the Baggao East Central School will always be here to face the challenge.

Let us remain steadfast and continue to battle with adversities. Let us do this:

Para sa Bata, Para sa Bayan!

A glimpse of a dazzling rainbow

amidst raining cats and dogs,

and with all the animals in the jungle, too.

And they lived happily ever… before.

Like all other institutions, there are highlights of certain trends particularly the authenticity of learning situations, promoting achievements, and advocating welfare especially to the learners as the center of the educative process. But what if a startling intruder takes part? Will the vivid plans outstay or fade?

The corona virus pandemic is not just a public health issue, it’s also an EDUCATION story. Unconcealed concerns, the government has been doing its part that education must continue. Options of learning modalities such as face-to-face, distance learning, and blended learning have been studied systematically to served as the grass-roots for the Department of Education (DepEd) to carry on access to education despite this perilous state.

According to the pupils’ local Learner Enrolment and Survey Forms (LESFs) of Baggao East Central School, parents/guardians cited the lack of available gadgets on why they preferred modular learning over the rest of the modalities. Modular learning emerged as the most preferred learning modality. It is a form of distance learning that uses Self-Learning Modules (SLM) based on the most essential learning competencies (MELCs) provided by DepEd. The module includes sections on motivation and assessment that serve as a complete guide of both teachers and students on the desired competencies.

But this is just the piece of the puzzle… Roars reach the ear-splitting crescendo on the part of the teachers, parents, and learners.

How will vulnerable little children get access to education? How effective are such actions so far? How are parents tearing up to share resources for child care, especially in families where working from home is not an option? Will teachers find ways to deliver quality education for the learners despite the physical absence between them?

These challenges can affect various aspects of education including the student-teacher relationship that is so crucial for student success. Even the best technologies or knowledgeable person in the community cannot eliminate the teacher-student relationship. But according to an African proverb, ‘’IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD’’. Stronger communities are needed more than ever, especially in this trying time. The proverb means that an entire community of people must provide care and interact with children for them to experience and grow in a safe, heathy, and happy environment.

We are up to the call of this ‘’new normal’’ brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and we are also aware that this is not a walk in the park in the field of education.

Theodore Roosevelt once quoted, “Believe you can and you’re halfway there”. Baggao East Central School is taking part with all the sounding-boards for holistic development of every learner. Orientation of parents on the whole process flow of delivering the printed modules, from acquisition to submission was followed. Teachers monitor the learners’ progress through home visits following health protocols. Learners may also ask assistance from the teacher via text message/instant messaging/phone calls and teachers provide other learning resources like textbooks, activity sheets, study guides and all others.

A learner may or may not learn alone but will learn better with an MKO (More Knowledgeable Others) like parents, older brothers, or sisters. Contrary to this popular belief on modular learning, they are not replacements of teachers. They are partners of teachers in education - the home facilitators. But what does it take to be an MKO?

Girlie S. Domingo, a 38 y/o housewife and mother of Elizabeth, Lyndale, Maria, and a toddler, has her own understanding of her role in modular learning. “…mahirap talaga ang module pero wala akong magagawa kailangan na magsakripisyo lalo na sa panahong ito dahil para rin sa mga anak ko”.

Having a positive mindset means making positive results, continually searching for the silver lining and making the best out of any situation.This is a grim picture of how the CoViD-19 Pandemic will shape the education landscape but fingers in between, believe we will, because we can!

The Sound of Silence can be heard

with a good speaker

for there is the Small Voice of every wall

of Baggao East Central School

whispering its small dream

from the recoiled freedom

to play, dance, and sing.