The new online learning setup poses a number of challenges not only for students but for parents as well. Apart from the lack of equipment and a stable Internet connection, moms and dads should also be extra careful about the learning modules being used by their children in classes, as one concerned sibling pointed out.
On Facebook, a user named Reyson Lee took a photo of his sister’s learning module and expressed his worry that it contained disturbing content. “My sister (who is a minor) sent me some situational questions from her module and I saw this. Seriously? Dirty names in the choices?” Reyson wrote, tagging the official Facebook page of the Department of Education (DepEd).
The photo, which contained a page from the printed learning module, posed the following question and possible answers.
“Who among the following students may have already developed a broader philosophical perspective?”
a. Pining Garcia, who regularly monitors the emotional well-being of her classmates.
b. Abdul Salsalani, who always listens to all sides of the argument before giving any advice
c. Malou Wang, who consistently chats with her classmates about their interests and beliefs
d. Tina Moran, who rarely talks with her classmates, but is always observant of themOn the first read, it would seem that there is nothing wrong with the sentences, but netizens who commented on Reyson’s posts were quick to pick up the meanings. They also expressed shock and disgust that lewd names were used in a learning module.
“Let’s not put malice on things pero pagdating sa learning, dapat gawin nating simple and professional. Huwag nang lagyan nang mga tesktong pang-pilosopo or katatawanan o kung ano man,” one user pointed out.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWIn his post, Reyson shared that his sister is 16 years old and enrolled in a private Catholic school. He also clarified that he is not blaming DepEd for the mistake, but that he wanted to raise awareness about the content.
In a quick interview via Facebook Messenger, Reyson told SmartParenting.com.ph that even before his post went viral, a teacher already went to their house to get the module back. They also made an announcement that teachers would be paying a visit to the students’ homes to collect the modules, which were used for their Philosophy subject.
Meanwhile, DepEd denied that the self-learning module was attributed to them.
“It’s not DepEd, it’s material produced by a review center for teachers for particular subjects,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones stated during the Senate hearing held today discussing DepEd’s proposed 2021 budget.
“We are wondering why it is attributed to DepEd. Review center ito. And ito ay particular subject for grown-ups. But that is not excused at all,” she added.
CONTINUE READING BELOWwatch nowThe secretary said that they would take action against this “malicious attempt.”
“We are going to file, under all possible laws, action against this malicious attempt. It’s really sabotaging our programs. Put us in a bad light,” Briones said.
This is not the first time that the DepEd has had to address “erroneous” learning materials. In a previous Smart Parenting article, a concerned mother also filed a complaint against her child’s private school for using a textbook with “negative expressions as samples.” (Read the article here.) On social media, users would also share public posts with questionable content found on various textbooks.
If you’ve spotted learning modules or textbooks with erroneous and questionable content, report it to DepEd by emailing them at action@deped.gov.ph or lodge your complaint here.
What other parents are reading
