World Vision supports DepEd Learning Continuity Plan (LCP) implementation

With the resumption of classes still uncertain due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the government, in partnership with civil society groups, is working on innovative solutions in order to provide continuous learning to students while in quarantine.

Supporting the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Learning Continuity Plan (LCP) is child-focused organization World Vision, through its ‘Brigada Pagbasa’Program, a partnership innovation which aims to promote a culture of reading and improve functional literacy among children.

“DepEd’s learning continuity plan is multi-modal. If the learners have access to digital devices, then they can access the virtual modality. For schools without access to internet, the agency is looking into the production and distribution of printed instructional packets,”shares Geomel Jetonzo, World Vision’s Education Technical Program Manager.

For the distribution, Jetonzo adds that DepEd is partnering with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in mobilizing barangay officials to help bring the printed materials to households with limited or no access to internet or communication gadgets.

World Vision will also assist in the production and distribution of these learning packets. Aside from the reading materials, Jetonzo shares that DepEd is also mulling the inclusion of hygiene kits and vitamins in these packets.

LEARNING IN TIMES OF EMERGENCIES

World Vision, a long-time partner of DepEd, has committed to the agency’s learning continuity plan by assisting in the digitization of reading materials while classroom learning is not yet possible. These materials will be uploaded on DepEd Commons, a free online resource for students and teachers.

“DepEd Commons can be accessed without incurring any data charges,”shares Jetonzo. “Students and educators alike can benefit from this repository of learning materials, which can be used while classes are disrupted due to COVID-19.”

Currently, the organization through its Pro Futuro Digital Education Project is providing “self-paced”trainings for educators to develop their own teaching materials through Pro Futuro on –line learning platform. The output will be reviewed by the school principal up to the DepEd’s Curriculum and Learning Management Division for quality assurance. Once endorsed by the Curriculum and Instruction Chief of the division level, the material will be endorsed to the Bureau of Curriculum and Instruction at the Central Office for final review before uploading to DepEd Commons for use.

World Vision has also introduced Brigada Pagbasa LITE (Learning In Times of Emergencies), a campaign which equips parents and teachers to provide reading intervention activities for children through virtual platforms.

Brigada Pagbasa, a five-year-old project in partnership with the DepEd promoting the culture of reading, was designed to be implemented even during emergency or high-risk situations.

“The poorest areas in the country are also the most vulnerable to natural disasters,”shares Jetonzo. “This is why World Vision has always integrated Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in its Education programs, so that students may still learn even under these conditions.”

Aside from distance learning, there is also the concern for online safety among children, especially since they are spending more time on screen and may be more prone to cyberbullying, pornography, and other OSEC (Online Sexual Exploitation of Children) related risks.

For this, Jetonzo shares that the supplemental learning materials from World Vision incorporates topics on personal safety and life skills, as well as key messaged on child protection, online safety, and positive identity. These resources will be taught under the subject, Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao or Values Education.

In partnership with Smart, World Vision has also conducted Facebook live storytelling sessions, featuring its ambassadors, Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Jayjay Dolor.

With the help of corporate partners, World Vision is also embarking on a fundraising campaign called “Abutin Na10, PARA SA SAMPUNG MILYONG MAG-AARAL: Sampung Piso, Sampung Araw Sampung Milyong Filipino,” A Brigada Pagbasa Project Initiative that aims to raise fund to help implement DepEd Learning Continuity Plan. The said campaign will be launched on June 1, 2020 during Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela National Kick Off.

Meanwhile, another World Vision project, Profuturo –an online learning management system, has been training teachers to create and manage their own teaching materials using sophisticated technology from Spain. Profuturo is a “digital classroom in a suitcase”which includes a laptop for the teacher, tablets for students, and a router to set-up network access so that children can still access the resources online. So far, World Vision has donated 118 of these equipment to 100 schools around the country.

In the midst of this pandemic, World Vision assures its strong commitment in helping Filipino children reach their full potential and promises its support in the government’s education efforts.

“The DepEd is equipped in dealing with the new normal. There are already hundreds of pre-existing resources on DepEd Commons to be accessed by teachers and students. We just need to give them time to tailor-fit the learning platforms to become compatible for the different needs and contexts of the learners. That’s where we can provide support,”ends Jetonzo.