Traditional face-to-face learning will no longer be implemented as different methods of teaching will be the new norm in the country’s education system, according to Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chair Prospero de Vera III.
According to De Vera during his presentation at the “Educating our Children in the New Normal” webinar, going back to face-to-face classes would waste the investments and technology, teachers’ training and retrofitting of facilities. Hence, CHED will adopt a policy that the “flexible learning” system will continue in the school year 2021 onwards.
“If we go back to the traditional face-to-face classroom, we run the risk of exposing our stakeholders to the same risks if another pandemic comes in,” he added.
The CHED Chair also explained that universities themselves will be the ones to adapt flexible learning methods appropriate to their situation. Some students may also come at specific periods and do more synchronous learning if needed. However, for more equipped universities, they will continue to invest and move ahead using online platforms.
Teachers are also expected to change their syllabus and modify with the new technology.
“We will see a transition from the exam-based system that depends on knowledge creation to group work and project or task-based systems – particularly in determining how to grade our students,” De Vera stated.
He also noted that “textbooks will no longer be the sole source of knowledge.”
Various youth groups described the CHED’s policy as it would aggravate problems that students and teachers face under the new online setup.
According to National Union of Students of the Philippines Jandeil Roperos, the new policy would only jeopardize the quality of education that students deserve despite the pandemic.
“Face-to-face classes remain to be the most inclusive and accessible option for education. If CHED wishes to pursue prolonged flexible learning, do they at least give gadget and connection assistance to those in need?” she said in a statement.
Kabataan Party-list group also released a statement that the new policy is a “gross negligence of duty to the education sector.”
On Twitter, Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago posted, “It has taken a toll on students and teachers’ health and well-being as they struggle with online classes, experiencing stress and anxiety amid the health and economic crises.”
Many students and teachers have stated that the unreliable internet and excessive workload has been a burden under the new normal thus, calls for academic breaks and academic freeze continue until today.