MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday said she has accepted the invitation extended by Malacañang to witness the dry run of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) blended learning, or combination of online and face-to-face classes, on Aug. 10.
“Totoo—iniimbita ako sa dry-run sa Aug. 10, mag-aattend ulit ako,” Robredo said during her radio show BISerbisyong Leni aired on DZXL.
(It’s true I was invited to attend the dry-run on Aug. 10 and I will attend.)
However, Robredo said she has attended a similar dry run last July conducted by the Navotas School District.
“Pero ang pinakapunto… Okay naman iyong dry-run, pero iyong pinakapunto, iyong parati nating ine-emphasize na hindi lahat na lugar pare-pareho iyong capacities, hindi lahat na lugar pare-pareho iyong capabilities. Halimbawa iyong Navotas sobrang husay. Pero paano iyong mga pinakamaliliit sa pinakamalalayong lugar?” she then raised.
(But the point is. The dry run was okay, but I always emphasize that not all places have the same capacities. Not all places have the same capabilities. For example, Navotas was great. But how about those in far-reached places?)
This comes after Palace spokesman Harry Roque extended the invitation of the Department of Education to the Vice President during a televised briefing on Thursday.
Robredo earlier called on the government to place internet hubs in barangays nationwide so that students without gadgets and a stable internet connection can use them for their distance learning classes.
Classes are slated to start on Aug. 24.
“Sa akin, okay naman na mag-simulate sa magaganda, pero ang purpose noon para gayahin ng iba. Pero kung ang purpose nagsa-simulate ng magaganda para ipakita na okay tayo lahat, hindi iyon tama,” Robredo then said.
(For me, it’s okay to simulate in facilities in neat area, but the purpose is to be copied by others. But if the purpose if to simulate in okay areas to show that the system is okay, that’s not right.)
Robredo then suggested that it a dry run should also be conducted in areas facing problems in implementing the blended learning scheme.
“Tama na maganda sana na mag-simulate din doon sa mga lugar na may problema. Halimbawa, sa mga lugar na walang internet, sana magkaroon ng dry run para ipakita ano iyong alternative.”
(It would be better to simulate in areas that are facing problems. For example, those in areas having no internet access, there should also be a dry run to show the alternatives.)