Private schools back Marcos’ call to continue blended learning

Parent Pearly Diño and daughter Ashlee, 9 years old, grade 4 student, participate in the on-line learning simulation in Navotas City on August 5, 2020 as the Department of Education shifts to distance learning platform for public schools due to the public health threat of the coronavirus.INQUIRER file photo / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — The Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (Cocopea) on Thursday supported the call of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to continue blended learning mode in certain areas, renewing its push to continue it beyond October 31.

Marcos recently ordered the continuation of blended learning beyond October 31, but only in specific areas.

Cocopea said it supports the proposal of Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte to institutionalize blended learning to address several crises such as the shortage of classrooms, teachers, and other concerns.

“With this new development, the Cocopea reiterates its appeal to allow their member schools the flexibility and wide latitude to combine online and other remote learning modalities with in-person classes beyond Oct. 31,” it said in a statement.

Cocopea underscored that these issues would persist if blended learning is to be discontinued when five-day face-to-face classes are implemented on November 2.

“These logistical concerns are likewise present in the private education sector if full face-to-face classes—without blended learning—are only allowed after October 31, 2022,” it said in a statement.

It then restated its appeal to allow its member schools to continue “online and other remote learning modalities with in-person classes beyond October 31.” Further, it appealed to Duterte to “extend a lifeline” to the struggling schools in the utilization of blended modalities amid the pandemic.

“We appeal to the Education Secretary to allow continuity in schools who have successfully integrated blended learning in their curriculum,” Cocopea said.

“The unique experiences in our schools in the last two years on the effective implementation of online learning platforms have allowed for a diversity of instructional strategies to maintain the quality of learning through the quality of our teachers, and the use of innovative teacher training, content development, educational technology and media,” it added.

“With the integration of online and remote modalities to face-to-face classes this coming school year, it would allow these private schools to further enhance their students’ learning experiences without compromising their safety against COVID-19,” it furthered.

Cocopea also reaffirmed its commitment “to support the reopening of schools to in-person classes of students.” — Iliana Padigos, INQUIRER.net intern