LPES to Adapt New Normal

ARCHIE A. TIBO-OC, Ph.D.

MT I/ School Paper Adviser

The Department of Education revealed that there are 27 million Basic Education students expected to enrol this school year, if the last year’s enrolment are to be the basis, such a mammoth number to consider in the crafting of an alternative learning system to address the enormous challenges brought about by the COVID 19 pandemic.

The Philippine education system indeed, is facing a very horrible challenge to deliver the lesson to the learners in order to adapt to the new normal in the field of teaching.

To address the issue at the school level, Dr. Rosalito R. de Roda, LPES Principal, during the first ever online professional meeting on May 8, 2020, stressed out that teachers should be flexible enough to embrace the new trends in the delivery of the lesson.

Teachers should armed themselves with innovative skills to embark the new normal by attending several webinars in education.

He also added that under the Learning Continuity Plan of the DepEd for the SY 2020-2021, the following learning delivery options can be used by the school;

1. BLENDED LEARNING- allows for a combination of face to face, online, and modular learning. Features: - Limits face to face learning delivery - Affords social distancing - Decreases the volume of people outside the home at any given time

2. DISTANCE LEARNING- most viable for independent learners and learners supported by periodic supervision of parents or guardians. Delivered through: - Online platforms - Educational programs (TV and radio) - Printed modules

3. HOMESCHOOLING – provides learners with equal access to quality basic education at home to be facilitated by qualifies parents, guardians, or tutors who have undergone relevant training. Policy is under review. Features: - Families can educate according to their personal faith, philosophy, and values - Learning schedules may adjust to fit family schedules and circumstances

4. APPRENTICESHIP- provides Senior High School learners with opportunities for actual immersion in workplace situations under the supervision of a certified practitioner. Appropriate for: - Selected TVL specializations that require more onsite learning and application skills than academics

5. FACE-TO-FACE LEARNING – is the learning environment where the students and the teachers are both physically present in the classroom. Delivered through: - Opportunities for active engagement - Immediate feedback - Socio-emotional development of learners

Furthermore, a series of webinars were being attended by teachers to augment their prowess in teaching using the virtual platform for them to be able to fulfill their noble vow of being a professional teacher despite and against all odds and adversaries.