26The Teacher Induction Program - Course 1
Alternative delivery modes or make up classes may be
undertaken to compensate for the unplanned suspension
of classes due to natural calamities. The President, in
coordination with the Secretary of Education and the
Department of Education (DepEd), may opt to set a different
date for the beginning of the school year.
Key Topic 2: Continuity of Learning
(A History)
At the height of the Gulf crisis in the Middle East, DepEd
Order (No. 1, s. 1991) ordered a system of continued learning
despite the apparent war. Its content clearly specified that
“the continuing education of the youth remains the utmost
priority.”
1
The order also envisioned mechanisms for
home-based learning, utilization of self-learning kits (both
reinforcement and enrichment), and application of various
multimedia platforms.
While the Gulf crisis did not escalate as it was expected,
DepEd shows that it has the contingency plan in place in case
a disruption of classes ensues. Moreover, our geographical
location as a country makes us vulnerable to tropical storms
and volcanic eruption. These natural factors directly affect
continuation of the school calendar. Hence, there is DepEd
Order No. 43, s. 2012 that provides a protocol for cancellation
of classes according to PAGASA’s weather bulletin.
2
Another document, DepEd Order no. 109. s. 2009, lays out
the post-calamity education set-up which gives provision for
1 Isidro D. Carino, “Deped Order (No. 1, s. 1991) – Guidelines
For the Implementation of the Education Sector Contingency Plans for All
Levels.” (Department of Education, 1991), 1.
2 Armin A. Luistro, “Deped Order (No. 43, s. 2012) – Guidelines on
the implementation of Executive Order No. 66 (Prescribing Rules on the
Cancellation or Suspension of Classes and Work in Government Offices
Due to Typhoons, Flooding, Other Weather Disturbances, and Calamities).”
(Department of Education, 2012), 1.
recovery of missed school days and provides guidance in
choosing appropriate modalities that can be used to fit to
a rehabilitating context.
3
All of these important documents
show that the education department is serious in living out
its mandate to deliver continuous learning.
When the threat of the pandemic heightened, the
Department of Education (DepEd) temporarily suspended
classes and adjusted the current school term in an effort
to save learners, teachers, and school staff from possible
exposure to COVID-19. For months, DepEd contemplated
what to do and continued to plan for the future. Eventually,
in August Secretary Briones announced that classes
would continue in October. The announcement came after
numerous schools were asking for different extensions
and possible class opening dates. DepEd opted to adjust
classes by introducing modules and the use of online video
conferencing applications such as Zoom.
DepEd also introduced its “Basic Education Learning
Continuity Plan” (BE-LCP) as its plan so learners are still able
to continue their learning despite any ongoing disasters like
calamities, pandemics, etc. There are four important aspects
to the plan: communication, materials, learning activities
and assignments, and assessments. Communication
involves ways of providing teaching whether it be answering
questions, discussion of a topic, relaying instructions, or
anything about the course. Materials include the lessons,
references, and other things needed for learning activities.
Learning activities and assignments are activities that
facilitate learning and come in many different forms or done
through a variety of methods depending on the teaching
style of the teacher or what is specified by the lesson plan.
Assessments are methods to gauge a student’s progress.
3 Jesli A. Lapus, “Deped Order (No. 109, s. 2009) – Make-Up
Classes for Lost Schooldays.” (Department of Education, 2009), 1.