TACLOBAN CITY, 13 November 2024 – Education Secretary Sonny Angara convened the National Management Committee (ManComm) to explore interventions to learning losses. This urgency comes amidst class suspensions due to the severity of weather disturbances.

In the current school year, the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) already recorded 35 class disruptions. This accounts for the highest number of school days lost mainly due to natural disasters and calamities.

Other severely impacted regions such as Regions II, I, IV-A, and III experienced at least 29 class disruptions each, with a few attributed to human-induced hazards like fire incidences.

It was further reported that 239 schools across the country are considered “very high risk” to further learning losses due to the frequency of natural hazards the area has experienced and severe damages incurred affecting 377,729 learners. Additionally, 4,771 schools with 3,865,903 learners are categorized as “high risk.”

One of the interventions that the agency will implement is the Dynamic Learning Program (DLP) to ensure learning continuity especially in affected regions.

DLP can be implemented in schools as make-up classes and catch-up sessions in temporary learning spaces. The initiative features parallel classes, activity-based engagement, student portfolios, and a reduced homework policy. DLP was developed by Dr. Christopher Bernido, an education advocate and Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, who was present during the ManComm meeting to answer questions.

DLP is just one in the cascade of interventions to DepEd’s field offices.  DepEd’s partner Khan Academy also showcased their platform during the meeting. This aims to supplement the learners’ skills and knowledge, through the Khan PH’s online learning content.

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