OVP: Learning centers coordinated with DepEd contrary to what Briones says

Vice President Leni Robredo visits OVP’s Community Learning Center in Taytay, Rizal. OVP photo

MANILA, Philippines – The Office of the Vice President (OVP) refuted Secretary of Education Leonor Briones’ claim against the Community Learning Centers she established amid the government’s implementation of distance and blended learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic .

According to OVP, its Community Learning Hubs have been properly coordinated with the Department of Education (DepEd) and local government units (LGU), contrary to what Briones has said.

Vice President Leni Robredo’s spokesman Atty. Barry Gutiérrez, said in a statement Tuesday that it was only until today that DepEd opposed their plans, stating that even Briones herself said that the learning centers were a “good initiative” with the resumption of classes, albeit online. , due to the new coronavirus crisis.

Briones previously said they didn’t approve of OVP schools because the government has yet to allow face-to-face classes, even if the Community Learning Hubs are mere study areas for students who don’t have devices or internet access. – basic requirements for DepEd’s distance and mixed learning schemes.

READ: DepEd distances from OVP learning centers: classroom policy not maintained

“The Community Learning Hubs initiative was coordinated with the Department of Education, both nationally and locally, every step of the way. In official correspondence between OVP and DepEd, Sec. Briones herself mentioned that ‘it is a good initiative’ and in fact requested additional details to ‘evaluate the feasibility of implementing such a program at scale,’ ”Gutiérrez said.

“Until today, the national DepEd did not express any opposition to the initiative, and our Office, in fact, has been ready for any coordination to expand the centers,” he added.

Gutiérrez explained that the Community Learning Hubs, which OVP launched in partnership with the private sector, are not like school classrooms where students have to enter every day. Instead, he said, students, especially those who don’t have devices or an internet connection to use, can visit the centers for additional help or only when they submit their class requirements online.

Due to the pandemic, the government has decided to adopt distance learning or online classes and blended learning or education through modules. However, DepEd was criticized for allegedly being poorly prepared to implement the new learning systems, while device availability and data connections remain persistent issues for both parents and students.

OVP has previously ensured that Community Learning Hubs are safe to use and are regularly disinfected, as well as implementing a schedule for students to avoid coronavirus transmissions.

READ: OVP assures the public: the Learning Hubs project was coordinated with DepEd

“It was also very clear in our communication with DepEd that the centers are not intended to be sites for face-to-face or classroom instruction; instead, it is intended to be a place for students where home-based learning is not conducive to obtaining tutorial support to complete their modules and access resources, including the Internet, ”Gutiérrez noted.

“In the hubs, strict compliance with health protocols is followed. There is also adequate coordination not only with local divisions of the Department of Education, but also with local government units to ensure a safe and effective learning environment, ”he also said.

Vice President Leni Robredo visits OVP’s Community Learning Center in Pasig City. OVP Photo

Briones previously stated that DepEd’s division offices did not approve of OVP’s plans to install Community Learning Hubs, noting that OVP instead coordinated directly with the LGUs.

The Secretary of DepEd added that in Pasig City, OVP had to coordinate with the LGU because the division superintendent did not allow it; and at Caloocan, the project was not carried out because both the LGU and the division superintendent did not break the no-in-class rule.

READ: LOOK: Robredo leads the opening of the OVP Community Learning Center in Pasig

Gutiérrez confirmed that the project did not materialize in the city of Caloocan because OVP paid attention to the advice and reservations of DepEd.

“Currently, there are 11 active centers serving more than 2,000 students in Luzon and Visayas, distributed at different times throughout the week to comply with social distancing, with the help of trained volunteers,” he said.

“Local stakeholders where the centers are operating have been supportive, including in Pasig City. For the areas where the local DepEd has expressed reservations, we are not moving forward with the implementation, as in Caloocan City, ”he added.

Despite the problems, OVP assured DepEd that they can visit the learning centers to inspect the security protocols in place.

“DepEd officials are welcome to visit our centers at any time to see the service provided while adhering to strict health protocols,” Gutiérrez said.

KGA

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