Category: Education Updates

Updated Information in the Department of Education

The New Normal Phenomenon

by Rogelio V. Mañanita, posted in Education Updates

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: DEPED PLANS AND PROGRAMS SY 2020-2021

by Rogelio V. Mañanita, posted in Education Updates
Secretary Leonor M. Briones

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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LEARNING DELIVERY OPTION: NEW NORMAL TEACHING

by Rogelio V. Mañanita, posted in Education Updates

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

by Rogelio V. Mañanita, posted in Education Updates

Summer 2019 year end training focus on the Positive Discipline in Everyday Teaching (PDET). The training was purposefully given as an able intervention of possible violation  that might be committed against children by vertue of RA 7610. DepEd Order no. 40 s. 2012 known as “Policy Guidelines on Protecting Children in School from Abuse, Violence, Exploitation, Discrimination, Bullying and other Forms of Abuses” serve as an Implementing Rules and Regulation of RA 7610 to ensure children’s protection inside the school campuses of the Department of Education. The hottest issue against teachers today implies that many of our teachers, if not all, does not internalize the different intervention training given to them as preventive measures for them not to commit any violation of the child protection laws and policies. Yes, every person is unique and a child is a no exemption to this rule can learned differently even in a single forum as teachers do. However, this is not a reason why we, teachers, do not attend training seriously and get to learn from it not for any examination nor for information purposes only but to continue with our job with an overwhelming  capacity to handle new challenges inside the classroom setting  in response to the changing milieu of the society. Furthermore,  trainings are part and parcel of our professional development carefully planned and charted for our safety and success inside the classroom. Why this? Because today many of our teachers can hardly detach from their “old self ” even realizing that their clients, the new generation, should not be educated the way they were educated before. Let us humbly acknowledge the truth that we cannot educate our young of today like the way we were educated before.

       Todays education should be fully grounded on the core concept of Positive Discipline in Everyday Teaching (PDET).I  consider PDET principle in teaching as a principle of enlightenment borne out from a  genius mind whom I may refer as a social scientist. The final outcome of PDET implementation in school will dramatically reshape this ailing society of today. Its  fruitful implementation rest in all of us educators for this cannot be done by the few instead need a community of  dedicated mentors to facilate its proper implementaion.

       What is sad upon observation is that, teachers themselve is a primary road block. I’m so sorry to say this but upon observation I can easily see from them that such principle is equally ineffective as their practices in everyday teaching. They are not fully convinced that PDET is one of the promising principle that could alter the present image of the society through the implementing arms of our educational system.

        Why do you think they harbor this idea? It is because until today they are not  able to fully grasp the light of this principles and put into real practice according to its very structure inside the classroom setting. Yes there are those who really tried but all of a sudden swerve and in a while found themselves in their old practice again. But why?  May be there exist a cloud of confusion that takes them away from the right direction for effective implementation.

         PDET essentially has the following the key  elements: identifying the long-term goal, providing warmth, providing structure, understanding the childs development and identifying individual differences. All these elements  must be carefully analyze and intertwined in the perceived problematic situation happening in school.

          When solving problem, the very first thing to be done is to understand the problem by correctly pointing it out and translate it in a language simple enough to be clearly undertood without compromising the substantial part of the problem. This part is simply finding the root causes of the problem. Critical analysis should be done in this step to make sure teacher will not be losing the real target. Remember, as teacher, you do not need to rash into coming up with the finding. Careful evaluation must be performed  first before its final declaration.

      The next step is the goal setting towards the resolution of the known problem. This is now the so call long-term goal. It is said because teacher does not need  to have an instant result which normally happen when they employ punishment as a way of discipline. In PDET the result  is not instant instead  a gradual transformation following a particular processes encapsulated in a long term structure so design for a long-term goal. Many of the teachers do not have the virtue of patience and consistency along with the created structure meant for the problem. This is the real limitation of the teacher as to PDET implementation, consistency of oneself with the prepared structure. They end up cold  about the long-term goal before given the opportunity to appreciate the long awaited result. This is sad, real sad about teachers.

       It is true that school is the laboratory of life. It is where character building and  transformation occur toward harnessing the real potential of an individual. Though change is very important in relation to the time frame, with in the number of school years allotted in a curriculum, educators  should remember that forcing change is damaging outside purview  of positive discipline. Finally, the working principle of  the clause ” best interest of the child” can only be achieve if teachers religiously implement the whole package of Positive Discipline in Everyday Teaching from now on.

Views: 54

Essential Elements of a Resolution

by Rogelio V. Mañanita, posted in Education Updates

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Every year marks a challenging journey  of a person.  The difficulties in the past were lessons to learn  to better off in the future. How could this be possible? One must pause for a while, look back and ponder about the rich experiences to  better prepare for the coming days of ones life. 

Knowledge  from the past makes one older and wiser. This allows a person to think about his accomplishments and failures to improve life ahead. A resolution is one of the many ways a person can do to raise the level of consciousness in taking his ways for the coming year.

Year 2018 was a great year pack with different life’s challenges and trials. Despite such, Filipino people handled  it courageously with resilience. Life was really hard for the past year. Thank God we were able to make it and now comes 2019. 

Part  of this year’s preparation is to come up with an enabling resolution. A resolution that covers the different anticipated odds of the coming year. But wait, what is in there when talking about resolution?  For many, it sounds ordinary and senseless for almost all of us if not many are use to it every year. The question is, were your resolutions working for the past few years? The answer would be, I don’t know  or  may be it works but isn’t a big deal. 

When a person commit a resolution, he needs to be very serious about it and must highlight an improvement or a development of ones life to make it far more better in a couples of years. A good resolution must have the following elements a) objective b) realistic  and c) doable in all aspects of  human person. These includes the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects. 

A resolution is objective when it is specific, measurable, attainable result oriented and time bounded. A resolution must be very clear to a person. He knows how to go with it. When an action is taken expected result will likely to happen.  And most of all it is within the period of one year or doable within 2019. This could be physical in nature such as doing a routine exercises to improve health condition. This could be Mental in nature such as doing a relevant reading to improve mental alertness and understanding. This could be emotional by forgetting and forgiving our offenders in the past. This could be spiritual in nature by accepting a simple covenant of 30 minutes prayer every day  to our creator. 

A resolution is realistic when it exists in the material word that we are in. And this should be true to all aspects of a human person be it physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. 

A resolution is doable when the possibility of accomplishing it is high. The physical, mental,  emotional and spiritual aspects of an objective and realistic resolution is undoubtedly within the ability of the player and the charted period of time. 

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