THE LEAGUE of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) is urging the Department of Education (DepEd) to postpone the opening of classes to October or even November instead of Aug. 24.
DepEd should conduct a dry run for the distance learning scheme, especially in far-flung areas where Internet connection is limited, said Marinduque governor Presbitero Velasco Jr., the LPP President.
He cited his home province which, he said, is ill-prepared because of the unstable Internet connection and the fact that families are not ready or can ill afford to buy computers, laptops or tablets needed for online learning.
The situation by August is still unsteady, given the rainy season and the arrival of more Overseas Filipino Workers required to undergo quarantine, Governor Velasco said.
“We can try it by November or December,” he said. “By that time, the fight against COVID-19 can be clearer.”
Students can catch up with school work by extending the school calendar up to summer next year, Governor Velasco said.
Davao del Norte congressman Pantaleon Alvarez has also suggested the Deped should consider conducting face-to-face classes in areas with low COVID risk and have limited Internet capacity.
“While we should support these steps taken by DepEd to minimize the spread of COVID-19, we must also remember that there is an imminent danger to Filipino students’ education and future,’’ he said. ‘’The online and broadcast materials proposed by DepEd may be helpful, but these are not easily available for many teachers, students and families.”
The good governor and congressman may have a point there regarding the financial readiness of families, and schools even, to go online. Many can’t even afford to buy a radio, much so television sets, cable TV and Internet connections.
As it is the DepEd is investigating why during a moving up ceremony in a Daet, Camarines Norte, school students shared a single surgical mask for protection against the coronavirus.
DepEd reiterated that graduation and moving up rites that require face-to-face interaction are postponed until further notice. Virtual rites and other non face-to-face activities are encouraged instead.
Meanwhile, the World Dental Federation supports teachers to integrate oral health into their lesson plans. The world’s largest associations of dentists has developed educational resources that include a teacher guide and lesson plans, which include videos, worksheets, PowerPoint presentations and certificates.
The “Mouth Heroes” resources inform and entertain children while raising awareness about good oral health.
Mouth Heroes provides teachers with the tools to give oral health lessons that can be applied as part of online learning or efficiently used by parents at home during school closures.
Mouth Heroes is available on FDI’s website to download and is easy to use, both digitally and in print.
By the end of their Mouth Heroes work, children will understand how to take care of their mouth, beware of certain foods that can harm their teeth and body, take more responsibility for their own oral health and feel empowered to practice healthy behaviors – now and in the future.
According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization or UNESCO, over 160 countries have implemented nationwide closures during the pandemic.
It says this has affected the education of nearly nine in 10 of the world’s student population or more than 770 million learners worldwide in schools and universities.
It is also important to remember that more than 50 million school hours are lost each year because of poor oral health.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim is a former Associate Dean of the UE College of Dentistry, former Dean of the College of Dentistry, National University, past president and honorary fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy, and honorary fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists. Honorary Life Member of Thai Association of Dental Implantology. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515./PN
