ILOILO City – The public should stop assuming that distance learning was what led some students to commit suicide, according to the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 6.
In less than 24 hours, two separate suicide incidents involving high school learners transpired in the towns of San Joaquin and Tigbauan in Iloilo province on Oct. 21 and Oct. 22. Both have been allegedly complaining of having difficulty with their learning modules.
While investigations are underway, DepEd-6 called on the public to “refrain from giving harsh or negative comments that will add more insult to injury.”
“Suicide is a serious public health problem. It is a sensitive and complex issue that needs to be handled responsibly,” the regional office pointed out.
It likewise cautioned the public against individuals or groups exploiting these unfortunate events to discredit the efforts of the Education department.
DepEd-6 also encouraged the public to avoid sharing or reposting news items relative to the incidents as “this will do more harm than good.”
“Instead, your sincerest words of encouragement, fervent prayers for comfort and healing and any assistance are much appreciated,” it added.
Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the formal education of millions of Western Visayas students was delayed.
With no traditional face-to-face learning, School Year 2020-2021 officially started on Oct. 5.
Various distance learning delivery modalities such as modular (printed and offline); online and television or radio-based instruction are used in public schools.
These can also be combined or “blended” depending on the capacity and resources available.
More than half of the 1,750,92 total enrollees in Western Visayas have opted for modular type of learning this school year, according to Leo Dedoroy, DepEd-6 division chief of Planning and Research.
Modular learning is individualized instruction that allows learners to use self-learning modules in print or digital format/electronic copy, whichever is applicable in the context of the learner, and other learning resources like textbooks, activity sheets, study guides and other study materials.
The teacher takes the responsibility of monitoring the learners’ progress. The learners may ask assistance from the teacher via e-mail, telephone, text message/instant messaging, etc.
But these new types of learning method are likely to increase feelings of isolation among students due to lack of face-to-face interaction, said Francis Sullano, member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Iloilo.
According to Sullano, there is a possibility that mental stress brought by the new methods of learning may have pushed some learners to take their own lives.
Since January, Iloilo province has the most suicide incidents among the two highly-urbanized cities and six provinces in Region 6, data from the Police Regional Office 6 showed.0
With this, Sullano wanted the DepEd, Department of Health and Department of Information, Communication and Technology to examine the effects of these new types of classes on mental health, most especially on learners having difficulty adjusting.
For its part, the DepEd-6 said it will continue to strengthen the promotion of mental health and well-being of all.
It also intends to revitalize school-based interventions that will undertake measures to help prevent suicide-related issues.
“Let us move forward with a stronger faith that we will overcome this predicament. Let us pray for one another and constantly look after the welfare of all our learners, teachers and every DepEd personnel of Region 6,” the regional office added.
Meanwhile, the Schools Division Office of Iloilo trough the Public Schools District Supervisors and the School Heads have already expressed their sympathy to the families.
They also sent representatives to visit the respective families to look into their immediate needs and concerns./PN
