Press Release
January 2, 2021

Gatchalian raises need to avert 'learning crisis' following cancellation of face-to-face classes

While the dry runs on limited face-to-face classes in low-risk areas would have addressed some challenges that hound distance learning, Senator Win Gatchalian said that the government's rescinding of its green light is a precautionary measure against a new strain of COVID-19 that is now spreading across the world.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture warned, however, that the country should brace itself for the aggravation of the current learning crisis and a likely spike of learners with poor performance. To mitigate the looming learning losses and make up for lost time on face-to-face instruction, Gatchalian said the government should exhaust all resources and implement measures to help learners catch up.

In rolling out remedial programs, Gatchalian said there is a need to assess learning gaps, especially among vulnerable students. This would help in the correct targeting of learners for remedial programs.

Under the 2021 national budget, P16,615,694,000 was allocated for 'flexible learning options' under the programmed appropriations of the Department of Education (DepEd). An additional P6-billion was allocated for flexible learning options under unprogrammed appropriations.

The senator said that the absence of face-to-face classes entails the continuous use of alternative modalities for learning delivery such as self-learning modules, radio- and television-based lessons to support teachers and learners amid the distance learning setup.

Gatchalian also cited the role of the Alternative Learning System (ALS), especially in reaching out to an estimated 2.3 million K to 12 learners who were not able to enroll because of the COVID-19 pandemic. A special provision in the 2021 national budget allocates an amount of at least P559 million for the program.

"Dahil wala na muna tayong face-to-face classes ngayong Enero, nangangamba akong baka lalong umurong ang kaalaman ng ating mga kabataan. Mas malaki ang magiging problema natin. Kaya dapat sa 2021, ibuhos natin ang budget at lahat ng resources para masiguro na hindi umurong ang kaalaman ng ating mga estudyante," said Gatchalian.

The lawmaker reiterated that before the pandemic hit the country, the international assessments 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) 2019, and the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2019 consistently showed that the country's K to 12 learners are failing to master basic competencies and lagging behind their peers across the world.

As part of long-term recovery efforts, Gatchalian emphasized the need for reforms in teacher education and training to improve learner outcomes. Senate Bill No. 1887 or the Teacher Education Council Act, which Gatchalian filed, seeks to improve the coordination between DepEd, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to improve teacher education and training in the country.

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Iwasan ang "learning crisis" kasunod ng pagkansela ng physical classes—Gatchalian

Bagamat ang pagsasagawa ng limitadong face-to-face classes sa mga lugar na wala o kakaunti ang kaso ng COVID-19 ay makatutulong sa mga suliranin ng distance learning, ang pagkansela nito ay maituturing na pag-iingat laban sa bagong uri ng COVID-19 na kumakalat sa buong mundo, ayon kay Senador Win Gatchalian.

Ngunit nagbabala ang senador na posibleng maantala ang kaalaman ng mga mag-aaral at lumala ang krisis ng edukasyon sa bansa. Upang mapigilan ito, hinimok ni Gatchalian ang pamahalaan na gawin ang lahat ng mga posibleng hakbang upang makabawi ang mga mag-aaral sa panahong nakalaan sana para sa face-to-face classes.

Kasama sa mga hakbang na ito ang pagsasagawa ng mga remedial programs. Ayon sa senador, dapat suriin nang mabuti kung aling aspeto ng mga aralin ang kailangan tutukan at kung sinu-sinong mga mag-aaral ang dapat tutukan.

Sa ilalim ng 2021 national budget, higit labing-anim na bilyong piso (P16,615,694,000) ang nakalaan sa "programmed appropriations" sa ilalim ng pondo ng Department of Education (DepEd) para sa "flexible learning options." Anim (P6 B) na bilyong piso naman ang nakalaan para sa flexible learning options sa ilalim ng unprogrammed appropriations.

Ani Gatchalian, inaasahan na magtutuloy-tuloy ang paggamit sa iba't ibang paraan ng pagtuturo tulad ng self-learning modules, radyo, at telebisyon upang suportahan ang mga guro at mag-aaral.

Mahalaga din aniya ang papel ng Alternative Learning System (ALS) upang maabot ang higit dalawang (2.3) milyong mag-aaral sa K to 12 na hindi nakapag-enroll dahil sa pandemya. Isang special provision sa pondo ng flexible learning options ng DepEd ang naglalaan ng mahigit limang-daang milyong (559) milyong piso para sa programa.

"Dahil wala na muna tayong face-to-face classes ngayong Enero, nangangambang baka lalong umurong ang kaalaman ng ating mga kabataan. Mas malaki ang magiging problema natin. Kaya dapat sa 2021, ibuhos natin ang budget at lahat ng resources para masiguro na hindi umurong ang kaalaman ng ating mga estudyante," pahayag ng Chairman ng Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture

Muling binigyang diin ng senador na bago pa tumama ang pandemya, ipinakikita na ng mga international assessments na nahuhuli ang mga mag-aaral sa bansa kung ihahambing sa mga mag-aaral sa ibang bansa. Ang mga tinutukoy na international assessments ay ang 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), ang Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) 2019, at ang Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2019.

Dagdag pa ng senador, mahalaga ang pagsasagawa ng reporma sa edukasyon at pagsasanay para sa mga guro upang umangat ang kalidad ng edukasyon sa bansa. Sa kanyang inihaing Senate Bill No. 1887, isinusulong ni Gatchalian ang mas maigting na ugnayan sa pagitan ng DepEd, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), at ng Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) upang i-angat ang kalidad ng pagsasanay at edukasyon ng mga guro sa bansa.

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