DepEd-7 urges school divisions to come up with other modalities

DepEd-7 regional director Salustiano Jimenez. | CDN Digital file photo

CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Department of Education Central Visayas (DepEd-7) Regional Director Salustiano Jimenez urged all the school divisions to  come up with some other learning delivery modalities to supplement modular printed materials.

Jimenez, in an interview with CDN Digital, said he keeps on emphasizing this during his meetings with school superintendents and local government units, especially now that the opening for the school year 2021-2022 is fast approaching.

He said there is a need to come up for other learning platforms, such as radio-based instruction (RBI), to supplement the modular printed mode.

“I keep on encouraging them, as what our beloved DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones also keeps [doing with] our regions. And I myself, am also encouraging all our divisions to transition from the modular printed or come up with some other modalities that are more feasible in the area and probably cost-effective. We know for the fact that modular printed is very expensive, especially in the printing and because of the increase in demand of bond papers, that’s why there’ll be a shortage,” he said.

The regional director admitted that there were reported delays in the distribution of modules in some school divisions for the school year 2020-2021, which is expected to end on July 10, citing that everybody had been shocked and nobody had been spared with the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Though there are some school divisions and areas that are already using supplemental platforms, he is still encouraging all other areas to adapt as well.

Jimenez noted at least seven areas that have already used RBI, some of which have partnered with radio stations, while others are school-based, including in Bohol, Siquijor, and Negros Oriental.

In Cebu Province, the areas are Badian, Bantayan Island, Daanbantayan, Liloan, while Cebu City and Camotes are owned by the LGU.

The Cebu City School Division has its own RBI called EdRadio, which is being implemented by the Local School Board and other partners.

EdRadio was launched and implemented to supplement the modular printed and its episodes are aired at 106.7 Home Radio, according to the schedules given to the students and parents concerned.

Aside from listening and learning from the radio, students can also download its episodes posted on Facebook.

“I always emphasize to use other platforms or other modalities but still by distance learning, either radio-based instruction, TV-based instruction or digitized if the municipality or if the LGU can afford to buy, or the city can afford to buy gadgets like tablets, so they can provide for our learners, like what the Mandaue City government did,’ he said.

The next academic year is expected to start on the second week of September.

/bmjo

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