Because of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), students are not allowed to go outside, much less attend school. But not even the COVID-19 pandemic should stop children from learning, according to one teacher from Iloilo.
Dr. Lodrigo Basco, Jr., who heads the MAPEH Department of Guimbal National High School in Guimbal, Iloilo, has been visiting the homes of students to hand out worksheets for them to accomplish at home during the ECQ. This is part of the Learning on Distance Initiative (LODI), a new homeschool program launched by Dr. Basco.
Dr. Basco tells GMA News that he, with the help of volunteers, has distributed worksheets to more than 300 students in four barangays since April 25, 2020. He has been using his own money to create the worksheets, which the students can use to develop their skills in numbers and letter identification.
“Maliit na bagay [‘yung gastos kung] para sa mga bata,” Dr. Basco says, according to a Facebook post from the Department of Education (DepEd).
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWThose volunteers also helped make the worksheets and provide remarks or feedback needed to improve them.
Dr. Basco says another benefit of LODI is the strengthening of the bond between the kids and their parents, who are the ones assisting their children in answering the worksheets.
“One of the objectives is to develop strong bond ng mga bata ang their parents,” Dr. Basco says in the DepEd Facebook post. “‘Yung parent/guardian or elder siblings will be the one to assist and guide the child.” He also recognizes the huge impact parents have on developing the minds of their children.
The LODI program has received positive responses from the students, inspiring Dr. Basco to continue with it. “Kanina po while giving the worksheets may mga bata na sayang-saya. Napaindak nang makita ang worksheets,” he shares.
Dr. Basco continues to seek the help of more volunteers to help monitor the progress of the students. He tells GMA News, “I’m calling for volunteers (teachers or non-teachers) and support from the community on this literacy program. I’m asking help especially for the continuity of this initiative thru support materials para makapagbigay-tulong sa ating mga bata.”
Though we still have a long way to go before we see the end of this pandemic, Dr. Lodrigo still encourages families to prioritize learning at home. He tells DepEd, “Sa pagkakataong ito, sana lahat ng mga bata ay patuloy na mag-aral sa loob ng bahay kaagapay ang mga magulang. Education must go on. Hindi hadlang ang COVID-19 para mahinto ang pag-aaral ng bata.”
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