EDITORIAL - Errors in learning modules

The latest issue hounding the Department of Education is the quality of some of its learning materials; particularly the finding of 155 glaring errors as well as the inclusion of a vulgar word not meant to be taught to children.

There was no mention if those errors were merely the factual mistakes, because some keen-eyed observers have also pointed out misleading generalizations and misconceptions in the modules, including the suggestion that all people who have tattoos are criminals and that all girls must behave meekly.

Even before the pandemic struck, our standing with regards to the education of some of our pupils was already dismal. Remember that global assessment test where our pupils did so poorly in reading and mathematics? That was the result of a test on our pupils before the COVID-19 crisis. This was back when teaching conditions were considered ideal; when school instruction was held inside a classroom and pupils could address teachers directly and face-to-face.

Can you imagine this present mode of education, done via online instruction or via modules, improving that already-faltering education system?

Now we find more errors in our reading materials than we want. This is like a hole in the head, it’s something we definitely don’t need.

While Education Secretary Leonor Briones said that the issues and errors have been addressed, this is no reason for the department to rest on its laurels.

The fact that those errors and that one vulgar word made it through to the final print in the modules shows that there may not be enough being done at the department’s quality control.

DepEd should not let its guard down, because these modules and learning materials are constantly being updated by new writers and with new content. So it may only be a matter of time before another glaring error or another obscenity makes it through to paper and into the minds of our children.