The Department of Education was one among the agencies that responded immediately to address the threat of the COVID – 19 pandemic in the continuous delivery of instruction. Learning as they say is a gift, hence the education of the youth should not be stopped amidst the pandemic. The Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (LCP) was formulated with the leadership of Secretary Leonor M. Briones to meet the demands in education. This is to ensure that learning will continue while facing the challenges of the COVID-19, provided however, that the minimum health standard protocols must strictly be followed. The Learning Delivery Modality (LDM) was identified that schools may implement while face-to-face learning is not possible. Majority of the parents and learners agreed on the Learning Modality based from the early survey conducted because they do not like that education of their children will be disturbed.
Transition from the traditional mode of instruction to the new normal brought many challenges to the DepEd personnel especially teachers and school heads. Like all other schools, Mankayan National High School also experienced similar challenges in the implementation of the Learning Delivery Modality.
These challenges include among others the insufficient equipment and supplies for the printing of modules. The local government units were the foremost partner in addressing these needs. Acknowledgement is hereby given to the Local Government Units Provincial. Municipal, and Barangay, alumni, non-government organizations, private sectors and other kind –hearted individuals in providing what the school needs to address these concerns.
Another is in the hauling of modules during the delivery and retrieval. Partnership was made to all concerned people, LGU officials, PNP and teachers who used their private vehicles in the delivery and retrieval of modules.
While the MOOE is the source of the payment of fuels for the teacher’s vehicles, the school is aware that it is not enough considering the maintenance of the vehicle incurred during the travel.
The most challenging however was how the learners put into application the concepts contained in the module. Based on the results of the summative assessment and the computed grades in the first and second quarters majority of the learners did not meet the expectations in Mathematics, Science, English and Research.
This is why the subject teachers reached them in small groups to give short lectures especially in the competencies they were not able to master. Still, many learners decided to stop and opted to find a job. Despite the initiatives and interventions done by the teachers and guidance counselor, many of them were not convince to continue their modules. There were lots of issues and concerns but little by little, these will be surmounted. Continuous efforts to help these learners are underway in order to make learning more meaningful. By Rosita B. Briones