Education Secretary Sonny Angara said Saturday catch-up classes or night shifts may be implemented after several weeks of typhoon-driven class disruptions.
In an ambush interview on the sidelines of the 2024 Regional Conference on Educational Planning in Asia at SEAMEO Regional Centre for Educational Innovation and Technology center in Quezon City, Angara underscored the urgency of make-up classes to prevent learning loss.
“Sinasabi namin na maghanda na, na iyong iba, Saturday classes na, at saka ‘yung iba, baka kailangan evening dahil depende sa availability ng teachers, depende sa availability ng facilities,” Angara said.
Based on the DepEd’s latest situational report, 20,860,818 learners and 883,822 teaching and non-teaching staff in 42,099 schools were affected following the onslaught of Super Typhoon “Julian” (international name: Krathon), Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine” (Trami), and Super Typhoon “Leon” (Kong-rey).
In terms of school days lost due to other weather disturbances since August, Calabarzon logged the highest record with 26 days of class suspensions.
Besides Saturday or evening classes, Angara reiterated the pilot implementation of the dynamic learning program (DLP) this month to allow flexibility in learners’ activities, as it involves utilizing “simple and targeted” activity sheets.
The DepEd earlier announced the pilot rollout of DLP in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol, and Cordillera Administrative Region.
Angara likewise disclosed plans to map out crowded public schools, and the granting of vouchers to more learners from congested rooms.
“Well, tinitingnan din namin ‘yung private schools kasi nag-offer din sila… Hindi masikip. Nakaka-spend sila ng oras doon sa mismong silid aralan hindi tulad nung nangyayari ngayon. May double shift, triple shift,” he said.
For the rehabilitation and repair of damaged schools, Angara said coordination with local government units, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the private sector, among others, will expedite the restoration of infrastructure.
He cited the need for more funds to cover the damage to non-infrastructure resources including information and communication technology equipment, textbooks and furniture which are not covered by the quick response fund.
Angara, meanwhile, urged the Asia Pacific education leaders and experts to work together and advance system tweaks that can help countries adapt to pressing climate changes, including building crisis-sensitive schools and strategic responses to ensure learning continuity.
“President Bongbong Marcos himself has instructed us to come up with smart, actionable answers. Gatherings like this allow us to borrow from your wisdom and shape our plans,” he said in his keynote, citing the effects of natural disasters in the Philippines alone.
“You have arrived at the right time because a week ago, our schools would have been closed, and we will be cleaning up the damage from three successive typhoons. This is the new normal, as known to many island states and countries hit by tropical monsoons in this part of the world,” Angara added. (PNA)