February 2020, the threat of the Covid-19 has becoming worse. Number of establishments were close, occasions and social gatherings were prohibited. On that date, school year was about to end but closing exercises and graduation ceremonies were cancelled.
During the normal school years, month of June is certainly the opening month but because of the Covid-19 pandemic, school year opening was scheduled capriciously. Due to the strenuous spread of covid-19, academic freeze was recommended by some parties but academic ease was implemented, instead.
President Rodrigo Duterte and the department of education agreed and opted to open the school year 2020-2021 in the month of October but without face to face classes for the safety of the teachers and learners. Distance learning were proposed and majority of the institution have chosen the printed learning modules. Printed learning materials are to be given to the learners and the parents will be the one to guide the learners with the assistance of the teachers.
Are the school teaching and non-teaching personnel ready? With the skillful leading strategy of the school head, Mars W. Yague and with the help of Dr. Nicasio M. Galano Jr., with the teaching staff and volunteers of Bagu ES took the step towards the “New Normal Education”.
Computer tables were turned into tables with barriers and set in appropriate distances to be used in distributing and retrieving printed SLM. Printed health protocols were posted in certain areas inside the school premises. Entrance and exit gates were labeled and pathways were stringed and made as guide for the parents who will enter the school to get the SLMs of their children to avoid peer contact. Health kits including thermo-gun were set. Teachers were designated to their corresponding assignments; distribute printed SLMs , monitor parents/guardians temperature, assist parents/ guardians enter and exit the school.
Printed and sorted SLMs were prepared and everything was set. Bagu Elementary School staff were geared up.
It is unity that makes every endeavor to progress and for this it could proudly be said that the New Normal Education's challenge was accepted.