Author: Rogelio V. Mañanita

Department of Education is one of the most important government agency in the country, the Philippines. It is a department of human transformation to better life in the future. Its implementing arms are the schools operating in the same vision, mission and core values. The teachers are the front line service crew doing the regiment of transformation process guided by its goal.

Few months ago, the whole world was shaken and severely threatened by a pandemic called COVID 19. Its disastrous effect put every person in the world in great dilemma locking down themselves for life.

The effect of COVID19 riffled in unimaginable distance around the world affecting all status and walks of life. It’s after effect is undeniably irresistible forcing the so called new normal phenomenon.

New normal phenomenon is a change adaptation responding to the needs of general public for survival and betterment. This, in a way overhauls the old ways of doing classroom instruction. A new out look is force open not just considering factors of preparedness but factors of health, safety,  well being of the learners and all teaching and non-teaching personnel.

School operation will be leaving from  an old usual way. Classroom instruction would become a whole new way. It would be moving from  formal face to face to something bizarre which includes Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM), Modular, Modified In School Off School Approach (MISOSA), IMPACT, Home School, etc.  Distance teaching and learning through remote access are dawning into reality for a better end.

In response, teachers must prepare themselves in conformity of this new ways of teaching. They need to do the URL (Unlearn, Relearn and Level-up) of learning to be at par with the new demand of the teaching profession.

In doing the URL, teachers must endeavor to change their mind set, attend relevant training, learn fast, explore more, learn advance ICT skills and apply the meta -cognitive concept to perform willingly what they are expected to do as teachers of this new normal situation.

In as much as learning is life, teachers must carefully review their professional needs using the Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat (SWOT) analysis. This would allow them to re-calibrate their professional worthiness into the cause  of excellence. Prepare their professional development plan according to their needs.

In totality, teachers are called to respond positively to the demand of the new normal phenomenon. They are to employ paradigm shift leaving old ways while embracing new one. Innovate ways teaching with the use of technology to implement learning continuity plan in the height of pandemic, COVID 19.

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Opening of classes for SY 2020-2021 would formally start on October 5, 2020. Unlike the usual scenario of school year opening, students with some of their parents and guardians are not expected to flood themselves in school for enrollment. School enrollment committee for secondary level facilitate and accept  walk-in enrollment for grade 7, grade 11 and transferee only. Incoming grades 8, 9, 10 and 11 students need not come for enrollment for the same is automatically enrolled. Their names from the previous grade  level would be automatically  forwarded to the next higher grade level provided they don’t have any failing grades. In this case, physical presence for enrollment purposes is highly discourage to ensure the health safety and well being of the learners, parents and school personnel.

Since all are entering into the new normal situation, blended learning would be a good choice. It is a new and hybrid method of learning which is a combination of traditional classroom instruction and online virtual classroom instruction. Students’ learning take place both inside the school and in their respective homes. There would be a pre-arranged meet up classes schedule prorated in a couple of days within the week. In a class of 45 learners for instance, may be met by the subject teacher ones a week considering  15 learners at a time. Though the subject teacher conduct meet up classes for three days within a week, his/her students come to school ones a week.  Teachers need to consider the number of Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC) with in a week and prepare modules ( hard or soft copy) depending in the availability of students’ tools and technology at their homes along with their ICT skills. The learners manage their own learning using the supplied Self Learning Modules ( SLM) and remote assistance from the teacher via internet upon the needs of the learner. During the meet up classes all necessary Self Learning Modules for the next three days ( for subjects  scheduled for 240 minutes per week)  would  be prepared and made available within the reach of the learners.

In the previous scheme, the learner or a family member representative would be in school  picking up Self Learning Modules and do his/her home study for the next four days.  The teaching and learning process would be co-managed by the parents of the learner to ensure that appropriate learning progress is achieved within a week. Parents are now serving as teacher’s remote assistant to co-manage the learning sessions of their siblings enrolled under the blended learning program of the school.

Learning progress assessment of the learners must be authentically founded from the weekly output portfolio evaluated using a performance rubric.  Parents, as a teacher’s remote assistant, must diligently help subject teacher to objectively report using a performance checklist prepared every week. Honest performance report from the parents is very important for the teacher to have informed decision about the learning progress of the students.

Parent’s tendency of doing the performance task of their siblings might be a road block. However, this could be avoided through proper orientation of their rules and obligations in this new teaching and learning program.  Furthermore, very important discussion must be thoroughly conducted why personally doing the learning task intended for their siblings is a great disadvantage.

In totality, blended learning is the answer to the pressing need of the new normal teaching and learning situation. Partnership of parents and teachers is of great importance. Parents become a remote teacher assistant to  co-manage the learning progress of their siblings and the they are called as home tutor.

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According to Herodotus, Greek historian, ” nothing is permanent in this world except change”. Change last for eternity.    Human being is a creature of habits. Normally would not like to be in a different situation pushing them out of their comfort zone. What they like most is to live a life in a familiar ground doing things in their usual pace and most prepared way.

 To what extend new normal phenomenon breaks in? Is it something that we just want to happen in the name of change? Or Is it something that is historically insane and  scary if not given due attention would peril the interest of the general public.

When we say normal, it is something that is part of the human habit. It is something not surprising. It is in fact doing something in the same way over and over again. It is indeed something that people use to do things everyday. New normal is a significant deviation from the normal. It is setting up a new mental imprint other than the way  one use to be. It is in fact recognizing new things, concepts, principles and practices as an appropriate response to the new needs arising from the actual encounter of man deemed for survival. New normal refers to  a brand new look of life as a way of accommodating new learning as an appropriate response to a  new situation. This includes re-framing of the mind, reprogramming the mental images, and drawing new habits. And living a totally new different ways that human never had before. This is habit forming and behavioral remaking process. Since this involves process,  it will not be happening in an easy way. It will kick off in our dislikes. Almost if not all, detest it. Question. Can any one does away with it? I guess not even one because while seemingly idiots tries against, authorities deny and even punish them. The will would become a universal rule to observe. Laws might be promulgated to define new practices and penalize violators. As years go by, new habits will be formed and everyone will feel comfortable and happy.

Before human mind totally harbor the change brought about by the new normal phenomenon, struggle is an utmost concern. One could not avoid the feeling of detest. Everyone must commit to overcome first of himself. Though hard, must do it by setting sight in conformity with that of the many. Do not dare to be different for it would be a never ending struggle of no avail. 

What would be our response? What should be done to accommodate the concept of   “new normal”. Life is no better with pessimism. I mean, ways of thinking must be positive. One of the laws of success is to live a life in constant optimism.

One of the pressing concern is individual ‘s way of welcoming change. Do not go against the newly perceived reality. Know your needs as to tools. Do you have the required tools for the perceived change? Second, know the available technology around. Be careful, do not allow technological limit to enslave you. Third, know your skills useful into this new process of change. It might bring  you to another level of success. Fourth, know your mental imprint. Examine carefully appropriate habits of the mind. Conform it to the new standard that comes along with the new normal. Fifth, know your professional support system. Support system may be internal and/or external. Never think of being alone. They are more than happy as you are when providing assistance. Be an open book accepting new entries such as the look of new self, new work environment, new ways of thinking, etc. They are just there ready to help you when you needed them most.

New normal might not be beneficial to some extent but surely beneficial in general. It is born out from the general advantage of the public. If you happen to be affected negatively then, it says that  what  you are doing right now is nearing obsolescence. You need to change your ways.  In this new phenomenon, the old adage ” there is more for you to eat before you become what you want” will be of no credit.  What is really in and favored now  is not what you know but how fast you can know.

In totality, a new normal phenomenon is a change adaptation responding to the needs of general public  for survival and  betterment. 

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Opening of classes for School Year 2020-2021 is still the hottest issue of today  considering the health and security impact of COVID19  in the country. However, RA 7977 or “An Act to Lengthen the School Calendar from Two Hundred (200) days to not more than Two Hundred Twenty (220) Class Days,” the “school year shall start on the first Monday of June but not later than the last day of August.’In this case, June 1, 2020 should  be the opening of classes for this school year. But because of  health concern amidst COVID  19 impact, adjustment could be possible for the safety of  the   learners and all  education sector personnel.

The DepEd headed by Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones has to weigh things right   in favor  of health, safety and well-being of the learners and DepEd personnel. She needs to listen to the voice of the stakeholders both internal and external and seriously consider the recommendation of the president of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) upon the data and recommendation from the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) against COVID 19 impact. Lately, ongoing survey conducted for this purpose showed that any day in August would be acceptable to the respondents which included, learners, parents, teachers, DepEd personnel and other external stakeholders. We are expecting that any day in August will be declared as the first day of classes.

The questions are, what if  COVID 19 cases curve would not flatten before the month of August? Would it be possible for DepEd to prolong the opening of classes beyond August?  Secretary Briones has given her statement that like the marawi uprising “education must continue.” DepEd has already prepared a contingency plans, programs and preparation to protect learners and DepEd personnel even if COVID  19  is still posing danger to the public on the opening of classes.

What are these contingency plans and programs? What are the preparation being done? How feasible are these programs? These are some of the questions that needs to be  answered before the declaration of the first day of classes for SY 2020-2021. First and foremost, we need to define the opening of classes within the purview of the so called “new normal “amidst COVID 19.  According to Usec. Annalyn Sevilla, Opening of School  does not necessarily mean requiring the learners and teachers to be physically present  in the school campus.  It needs extra-ordinary precautionary measures which may includes shortening of  school hours, use of social media platforms, and filtering subject competencies.

Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) of instruction would be of serious consideration. These will include modular classes where in learners may only be required to come to school in a pre-arranged schedule considering their numbers  (class size) and classroom space to comply with the social distancing rules.

Classroom instruction may be also delivered using the available social media platforms like the DepEd commons, online classroom instruction via messenger and zoom application. Subject competencies were significantly reduced and clustered to respond to the need of the learners just enough to be covered even shortening of school hours is put into effect.

Going back to the question, what is the ongoing preparation done by DepEd? DepEd is now conducting training and workshop to the 1700 competent teachers for subject module writing.  It is then expected that after this training workshop enough subject modules would be available for use. Some other competent academic writers are also working with  electronic books for online classes. E-books would be available and   downloadable from the DepEd LR portal. Furthermore, regional learning hubs are to be created  to  serve for this purpose. In response, telecommunication companies like Globe and Smart offered free  services  to  teachers and learners under this program.  In other words, using DepEd commons is absolutely free of charge to the teachers and learners.  In essence, adopting this program does not need additional expense on the part of the teachers and learners instead seem economical for they do not need to travel to school every day. Likewise, skeletal work forces are also given additional load allowance to better connect and serve their clients in this “new normal” set up.  If asking the readiness of the teachers to this new instructional trend?   DepEd will be conducting online training and WEBINAR to all teachers  and school heads making them atone to this new instructional model  emerging from this “new normal” phenomenon.

As to preparedness, DepEd leaders do not claim that they are really prepared for this new challenge. But they promise to do  their best and  better serve the stakeholders and  to the country as a whole. Their call is for us to be patient and resiliently responsive to this whole new thing amidst the crisis brought about by COVID 19.

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Best Interest of the Child

RA 7610: The way to achieve the “best interest of the child”

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The flagship program of the Department of Education in the height of COVID 19 is her Learning Continuity Plan (LCP). This is into the single outlook of Sec. Leonor Briones, “Education must Continue.” Pushing forward this transitional agenda is not easy for what we have now is one of a kind in a century. A working plan must be carefully prepared responsive to the variant needs across future situation adjustment. Hence, the possibility of conducting classes like the way teachers were is risky, delivery options are sought in response to the new needs of the new normal teaching.

There are five learning delivery options available for the school heads to choose from upon the recommendation of their teaching force. These are the following: blended learning, distance learning, homeschooling, apprenticeship and face-to- face.

Blended learning is a hybrid approach emerging from the traditional classroom teaching (Face-to-face), modular independent learning approach and the online teaching approach.

The key implementation features of this learning program are: limit the face-to-face learning delivery, afford social distancing, and significantly reduce the volume of people outside the home at a given time.

Distance learning is a learning program appropriate for independent learners. This could be best achieved under the supervision of their parents or guardians in an educational platform.

The key implementing features of this learning program are: learning delivery is online through an educational platform, learning delivery through educational program on TV and radio, and delivery using the prepared modules.

Homeschooling is a learning delivery program which provides learners with equal access to quality basic education at home to be facilitated by qualified parents, guardians, tutors who have undergone relevant training.

The key implementing features are: First, families can educate according to their personal faith, philosophy, and values. Second, learning schedules may be adjusted to fit family schedules and circumstances.

Apprenticeship is a learning program which provides Senior High School learners the opportunities to actually immerse themselves in the workplace situations under the supervision of a certified practitioner.

The key implementing features are: Appropriate only to Senior High School students with their TVL specialization who could learn through work engagement. Senior High School learners that are ready for onsite learning under the supervision of the onsite and teacher supervisor.

Face-to-face learning is the traditional learning approach and environment that requires students and the teachers to be both physically present in the classroom.

The key implementing features are: Opportunities for active engagement and participation, Immediate feedback, Socio-emotional development of learners.

The appropriateness of a learning delivery of a school would be dependent on the following: a) the profile of the learners as to their learning readiness (dependent or independent learner) b) availability of technology, c) availability of the required tools and equipment, d) availability of the printed modules, and e) the readiness of the teachers to manage these learning delivery options.

Responding in the new normal situation is not really easy. No one could claim preparedness. We are all caught by surprise. To hit a better adjustment for us to go onward is a challenge. This is not only a challenge to the authorities but to all of us. We need to endure and bravely sustain the birth pain of this new process until the whole system and structure will be in place.

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