DepEd, agencies told: Ensure quality of blended learning

MANILA, Philippines — After a learning material using what is perceived as “provocative” and “malicious” content went viral on social media, Sen. Bong Go asked education authorities and institutions to ensure quality and appropriateness of learning modules while implementing blended learning techniques amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“This has reached President Duterte and he wants those responsible punished,” Go said. “Materials for children’s education should be taken seriously. They are already having a hard time because of the pandemic. We don’t need for them to deal with this foolishness.”

Go said under blended learning, students are required to adjust to new learning techniques through a mix of online classes and prepared modules provided to them as alternatives to a traditional classroom setup.

With relatively limited guidance from teachers, he emphasized that the accuracy and appropriateness of learning materials provided through modules must meet quality standards for blended learning to work.

Go also said that with the recently enacted Republic Act 11476, or GMRC and Values Education Act, values formation must be at the core of education and not simply be an additional subject or requirement.

“Learning modules must adhere to set standards. They must be child-friendly, appropriate and teach good values,” Go said.

The Department of Education (DepEd) has disowned the provocative materials that went viral recently, saying that they were not created by the department.

After an initial investigation, DepEd found that a private school in Zambales used the controversial module which contained questionnaires with dirty names.