Teachers’ group calls on DepEd to drop learning continuity plan
Photo: Facebook/DepEd Philippines
Teachers’ group Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) on Friday called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to drop its learning continuity plan (LCP) as it feels the program is restrictive and does not meet the needs of Filipinos. ACT also urged the education bureau to postpone the opening of classes after Metro Manila and certain areas were placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ). Classes are scheduled to open on August 24.
“Malinaw ‘yung LCP ng DepEd ay hindi lapag sa lupa at hindi tugma dun sa pangangailangan ng Pilipino kaya dapat ay i-drop na ito, bitawan at mag-devise ng isang alternative form,” said ACT Philippines Secretary-General Raymond Basilio during an online briefing. ACT also explained that the LCP makes it hard for teachers to fulfill their tasks, such as reproducing self-learning modules.
(“It is clear that DepEd’s LCP is not realistic and is not aligned with Filipinos’ needs so it must be dropped, released, and an alternative form must be devised.”)
Aside from being less restrictive and more flexible, ACT also noted that the alternative learning program must not have too many deadlines so as not to create too much pressure for parents and learners and that under the LCP, many students would not be able to finish the entire school year. The teachers’ group also recommended that DepEd loosen its policies when it comes to its evaluation policies for the mass promotion of students.
Classes were earlier disrupted in March as community quarantines were implemented all over the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic. DepEd will be adopting a blended learning approach, which combines the use of TV, radio, and the internet as modes of instruction as face-to-face classes will be largely prohibited.
During a COVID-19 task force meeting, DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said that public schools in as many as 345 areas have already conducted dry runs in preparation for the formal start of the 2020 to 2021 school year.
