Bong Go backs adoption of modular learning if necessary
AS temperatures rise and power outages become a recurring issue in some parts of the country, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go is throwing his support behind the option of modular learning as a way to keep students safe.
During an ambush interview after personally aiding poor residents in Ubay, Bohol on Thursday, April 27, the senator stressed the importance of prioritizing the safety and health of students, especially during extreme weather conditions.
“Ang importante po’y tuluy-tuloy ang pag-aaral at hindi maantala ‘yung school year po ng mga estudyante. Iyon po ang unahin natin, ang kalusugan at kaligtasan po ng ating mga kabataan,” he stressed.
“Between learning and safety of our students, unahin po natin ang kanilang kaligtasan at kalusugan… Anyway, hindi naman po sila hihinto ng pag-aaral, ang face-to-face learning naman po ay pwedeng ihinto, pero dati na rin nating ginagawa ang online or modular learning,” he added.
With temperatures soaring, there are growing concerns about the safety of students who may be forced to attend face-to-face classes in extreme heat or during power outages.
The Department of Education has reminded school heads that they have the authority to suspend face-to-face classes and shift to alternative delivery modes such as modular distance learning due to these concerns.
On April 20, the DepEd issued a memorandum restating that schools have the option to utilize modular distance learning, as outlined in DepEd Order No. 37, released in 2022.
The order empowers school heads to assess if unfavorable circumstances, such as extreme heat or power outages, may significantly impact in-person classroom learning and jeopardize the health and safety of students.
Meanwhile, per the five-day forecast provided by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration for April 25 to 29, the city of Iloilo is anticipated to experience the maximum heat index of 37°C.
Other key cities including Butuan City, Cabanatuan City, Cotabato City, Dagupan City, Davao City, General Santos City, among others, are expected to experience a heat index of 36°C.
Go said he understands these concerns and believes that modular learning is a viable solution to ensure that students can continue to learn without risking their health and safety.
“Pwede naman po ngayon na mag-online learning. Nasanay na tayo sa online learning. Kung kailangan na mag-adjust tayo, mag-adjust muna tayo dahil sa init at nanganganib po ang kalusugan ng ating mga kababayan. Pwede muna nating i-shift muna sa online learning kung kailangan,” reiterated Go.
An advocate for the well-being of students, the senator emphasized the importance of mental health in addressing mental health disorders, which are often overlooked and undetected. Go has also been pushing for the passage of his proposed Senate Bill No. 1786, which seeks to mandate public higher education institutions to establish Mental Health Offices in their respective campuses.
Go also serves as co-author of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian’s SBN 379, otherwise known as the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, which aims to provide mental health services, emotional, developmental and preventive programs, and other support services in the basic education level.
