The eight divisions of the Department of Education-Cordillera have raised P985,459,727 for the printing of self-learning modules covering all year levels for the first quarter of academic year 2020-2021.
In a report, DepEd Regional Director Mae Eclar said the DepEd central office released P253,102,000, while the LGUs shared a combined P685,329,804 from their special education funds.
Some amount came from a school’s maintenance and other operating expenses funds, private donors, and indigenous peoples funds. Some LGUs augmented the financial assistance by giving supplies for printing and reproduction of the modules, Eclar added.
The amount will be divided among public schools in the region. Abra needs P60.4M; Apayao – P156.38M; Baguio City – P39.77M; Benguet – P167.9M; Ifugao – P98.2M; Kalinga – P20M; Mountain Province – P415.2M; and Tabuk City – P28M.
Eclar said some of the pledges of LGUs have yet to be received as its procurement still has to go through government processes.
The Cordillera has 356,913 enrollees for of them public schools and all require the use of learning modules.
From the number, 80.12 percent prefer the modular printed learning delivery modality; 9.84 percent chose modular and online; 5.14 percent modular and radio instruction; 8.53 percent modular and video or TV supplement, and 1.68 percent online.
Of the eight school divisions in the region, Baguio City, Benguet, and Tabuk City prefer a blend of modular, online, video or television, and audio or radio. The Abra division has prepared for modular with audio or radio as complement.
DepEd Curriculum and Learning Management Division head Carmel Fidel said all public schools in the region have printed and put together all learning modules for the public school learners needed for the first two weeks of classes.
DepEd has also distributed learning modules for the Psycho First Aid (PFA) before classes began last Oct. 5.
The PFA module will allow school authorities to know what is happening to the child at home by giving them a glimpse of the psychological state of the learner.
Meanwhile, DepEd officials reiterated gadgets are not a requirement for the new normal education.
Benguet Schools Division Superintendent Benilda Daytaca said they have inculcated to parents and guardians that their children or ward do not need gadgets to continue their education.
She said DepEd sought the help of mayors and barangay officials in informing residents that a gadget is not needed to continue learning.
Daytaca said the 83,268 enrollees of the province is 103 percent higher compared to the previous year’s enrolment of 82,246.
“The parents were not afraid to enroll their children because we assured them even without a gadget, their children can still study,” she said.
Eclar said the DepEd has partnered with government agencies and other stakeholders like the Philippine National Police, Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology to ensure that education will continue despite limitations on mobility brought about by the community quarantine.
Aside from aiding in the delivery of modules, she said these agencies have taken on various tasks such as the PNP which deployed 120 para-teachers who will assist parents in the instruction of their ward; the BFP is in charge of disinfecting schools and offices, the 503rd Infantry Brigade will also help deliver instructional packets, and the BJMP will facilitate learning of inmates.
The Parent Teachers Association has also set up a “parent academy” to help parents who need help in assisting their ward with their studies. – PNA
