MANILA – Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Tuesday said students may have to attend Saturday catch-up classes or night shifts several weeks of class disruptions due to the spate of typhoons.
“Sinasabi namin na maghanda na, na iyong iba, Saturday classes na, atsaka yung iba, baka kailangan evening dahil depende sa availability ng teachers, depende sa availability ng (We are telling them to get ready, that others will have Saturday classes, while others may need evening classes depending on the availability of teachers and) facilities,” Angara said, in an interview on the sidelines of 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.
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 (We are looking at the offer of public schools … It’s not congested. They can spend more time in the classrooms. Unlike what’s happening now, there’s) 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 infrastructures.
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. (PNA)