Broader interventions needed to strengthen “new normal” science education in Visayas, says experts
Educators hailing from all three Visayan regions have recently shared their practical insights on improving the “new normal” system of educating science high school students amid the COVID-19 pandemic through a virtual forum broadcast via Facebook Live.
The event, which was organized by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), was conducted during the second day of this year’s Visayas Regional Scientific Meeting from 13–14 April 2021.
As with most institutions nationwide and overseas, high schools across Visayas were forced to shift away from the face-to-face (F2F) classroom setup in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. Innovative ways of instructing students had emerged since then.
Dr. Cristito A. Eco, Assistant Director of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Region VII Office, commended the use of cellphones, online tutorials, and even digital simulations to extend support to both learners and their guardians remotely.
He, however, pointed out the limited availability of digital resources behind the observed “losses” in mathematics and language learning. “If the learner is coming from an urban or a rural place, then the distance learning modality must be contextualized,” he said.
For Dr. Shena Faith M. Ganela, Director of the Philippine Science High School’s Western Visayas Campus, firm parent-teacher synergy plus engagements via competitions and projects augur well with module-based curriculum and Internet-enableddistance learning.
Often overlooked is therole of educators and even psychiatrists in monitoring students who are pressured to study at home. “As we try to overcome challenges under the new normal, we have to make sure that our mental health program is in place,” she urged.
Aside from “re-tooling” activities to equip teachers for non-F2F instruction, Dr. Shalom Grace C. Sugano—Principal of Visayas State University Integrated High School—favored the DepEd’s academic ease policy to reduce the time burden for finishing lesson modules.
Not to be dismissed is remote learning, which she said merits government attention. “In order for online learning to flourish, establishing a faster and stable Internet connection all over the country is very important and should be considered,” she advised.
This year’s Scientific Meetingstackled the country’s preparedness in dealing with the current and possibly future pandemic. Regional meets will be held from 27–28 April 2021 involving Luzon-based experts and from 11–12 May 2021 for those from Mindanao. (By Allyster A. Endozo, DOST-STII)
Forum moderator Academician Jose Maria P. Balmaceda (upper-left), member of the DOST-NAST’s Mathematical and Physical Sciences Division and professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman, with guest speakers: Dr. Shalom Grace C. Sugano (upper-right), Dr. Shena Faith M. Ganela (lower-left), and Dr. Cristito A. Eco (lower-right).(Screenshot from the DOST-NAST webinar)
