Senator Win Gatchalian filed a resolution seeking an inquiry on the readiness of basic education institutions to conduct classes in the next school year amid the lifting of public health emergency on Covid-19 and the ongoing weather disturbances.
In filing Senate Resolution 689, Gatchalian also wants to know if the basic education institutions have sufficient education plans after they shifted into a shorter school break calendar of 51 days.
This year’s school break was set from 8 July until 27 August.
Senate Resolution 689 seeks immediate assessment of both the “effectiveness and challenges” that have been encountered by academic institutions in delivering both face-to-face classes and alternative learning delivery modes.
Gatchalian said the government should make sure that educational institutions are well-prepared amid the shorter school break and other challenges ahead.
He added that academic institutions should also consider the effects of the El Niño phenomenon.
“The inquiry also takes into consideration the public clamor for the return of school summer breaks from April to May,” Gatchalian said, citing the Department Order No. 034 s. 2022, by the Department of Education—which states that the school year 2023-2024 is scheduled to commence on 28 August and will conclude on 28 June 2024.
“It is important to note that DO No. 034 s. 2022 primarily applied to SY 2022-2023 and specified that separate DOs would be issued for SY 2023-2024 and SY 2024-2025. However, up to this time, a DO for SY 2023-2024 has not yet been issued,” he lamented.
The DepEd recently announced its target for the first day of classes this year was 29 August—one day beyond its original 28 August target. It added that they are still finalizing the DO for the next school year’s calendar.
“Sa gitna na patuloy na pagbangon mula sa pandemya at pagbabalik sa normal ng sektor ng edukasyon, napapanahong suriin natin ang kahandaan ng ating mga paaralan para sa patuloy na paghahatid ng edukasyon. Dahil nagpapatuloy pa rin ang mga hamon at pinsalang dulot ng pandemya, mahalagang matukoy natin kung paano natin tutugunan ang mga ito,” Gatchalian said.
He recalled how academic institution was greatly affected by the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, which include the implementation of remote learning when in-person classes were totally suspended.
Gatchalian also noted how the digital divide had badly affected learners from low-income households.
He then cited the 2021 World Bank survey stating that only 40 percent have access to the Internet and 95.5 percent use paper-based learning modules and materials.