PNPA adopts blended learning for cadets due to COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) will implement a “flexible blended type learning modality” for its cadets in compliance with the guidelines set by the Commission on Higher Education.

According to PNPA director Maj. Gen. Gilberto Cruz, face-to-face cases at the academy are also prohibited until a vaccine for the coronavirus disease 2019 becomes available.

Cruz said the PNPA has purchased LED televisions and sound reinforcement systems which will be installed in different learning areas inside the camp. He added that internet connectivity was also recently established inside the academy.

“I made it clear with the Dean of Academics to secure all professors’ alignment on this matter. Every lecturer must be virtually present during classes and all lessons shall be embedded in online modalities to make sure that interactions are achieved,” he said in a statement Friday.

According to PNPA spokesperson Lt. Col. Byron Allatog, the academy will use the following areas for learning sessions: dormitories for the first-class cadets, a new mess hall for second class cadets, an existing mess hall for third class cadets, and the academic building for fourth-class cadets.

This move comes after 232 cadets and 11 personnel of the PNPA based in Silang, Cavite were earlier reported to have contracted the coronavirus disease 2019, prompting its leaders to place the academy under lockdown until September 30.

The infected cadets and staff are all asymptomatic, according to Allatog. Isolation facilities were also earlier set up for the patients.

Previously, the Department of Education also announced that it will postpone face-to-face classes until a vaccine against COVID-19 becomes available, in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncement that he will not allow students to go back to school until a vaccine against the disease is rolled out. [ac]