Home » Teaching & Education » Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) Guidelines for Education Continuity Plan for SY 2020-2021

Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) Guidelines for Education Continuity Plan for SY 2020-2021

Enclosed is a Bangsamoro Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) Memorandum from Mohagher M. Iqbal, Minister of Education, re Guidelines for Education Continuity Plan for SY 2020-2021.

Table of Contents

Bangsamoro Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) Guidelines for Education Continuity Plan for SY 2020-2021

I. In consonance with MBHTE Memorandum Order No. 204, series of 2020, re: Formation of Technical Working Group (TWG) for Education Continuity Plan for the School Year 2020-2021, the TWG Steering and Working Groups conducted series of meetings and consultations with education officials, partners, learners and parents to formulate adaptive strategies for Basic, Madaris, Higher, and Technical Education amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

II. After comprehensive and thorough discussions, and in consideration of existing policies, the Ministry hereby adopts the following principles in determining and implementing appropriate measures during the pandemic:

1. “Moral Governance” shall always be the overarching guiding principle and administrative doctrine of the Ministry in the performance of its mandate and the execution of its policies, plans, programs, projects, services, and activities.

2. Stay at Home, Stay Learning.

3. In delivering education services, the attainment of learning objectives and the safety and well-being of all learners, education personnel, and other education stakeholders shall be the top priority of the Ministry;
4. As provided in Republic Act No. 10533, schools and learning institutions shall
continue to deliver education services that are “relevant to the needs of the people, the country and the society-at-large” in a manner that is appropriate,
feasible and compliant to the minimum health and safety standards and
directives from BARMM-IATF, MOH and other proper authorities;

5. Education stakeholders, parents, community leaders, and local government units shall be involved in the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of activities and interventions relative to the continuity of education service delivery;

6. Given the current context and until the situation improves, home-based or distance learning shall be the preferred modality. However, face-to-face learning in school and other training centers maybe employed if and when local situation and public health measures allow; and

7. Schools and other learning institutions shall continue to function as learning hubs where learners can access facilities and other learning equipment and materials that may not be available at home such as libraries, playgrounds, laboratories, internet connectivity, technical and vocational workshops, and training facilities.

In the implementation of this Education Continuity Plan, the Ministry shall ensure provision of technical, logistics, financial, and other necessary support to its schools, madaris, division offices, district offices, TESD training centers and provincial offices, and higher education institutions.

During implementation of these guidelines, the Ministry shall consider the responsibilities, duties, and workloads of its teaching and non-teaching personnel at the schools, madaris, division offices, district offices, TESD training centers and provincial offices, and higher education institutions. Republic Act No. 11032 also known as Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 shall be adhered.

Attached herewith are the sectoral education continuity plan guidelines as:

  1. Annex A – Guidelines for Basic Education
  2. Annex B – Guidelines for Madaris Education
  3. Annex C – Guidelines for Technical Education
  4. Annex D – Guidelines for Higher Education

For information, guidance and strict compliance of all concerned.

GUIDELINES FOR BASIC EDUCATION

I. ENROLLMENT

1. Public schools shall conduct enrollment from 1 to 30 June 2020. Early registration since February 2020 shall be recognized. Schools and community learning centers may use online or other innovative ways of enrolment process to adhere to minimum health standards and protocols.

2. During the enrollment, parents/guardians shall provide information by filling up the enrollment and survey form intended to collect information related to the adoption of appropriate learning modalities and support needed to ensure learning continuity.

3. Teachers shall encode the accomplished enrollment form in the Learner Information System (LIS) enrollment module which will be deployed by DepEd Central Office starting 8 June 2020. The detailed procedures for the deployment of the enrollment and survey forms shall be issued separately.

4. Teachers shall also encode the accomplished enrollment and survey forms in the template provided by the MBHTE Regional Office. These shall be consolidated and submitted to the Regional Office by the schools, districts, and divisions on or before July 24, 2020 to guide the determination of appropriate and practicable learning modalities.

II. PRE-OPENING OF THE CLASSES

The pre-opening activities of all schools shall be from 1 to 23 August 2020. During this period learners and parents shall be introduced and oriented on foundational topics, utilization of alternative learning modalities, corresponding learning materials, and mental health and psychosocial support activities. They may also undertake activities such as Brigada Eskwela and Balik Eskwela provided the minimum health safety protocols/standards such as social distancing, use of facial mask, etc are followed. These pre-opening activities devoted to the attainment of the learning objectives for the school year shall be counted as class days.

III. FORMAL OPENING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR 2020-2021

1. Formal opening of classes in the BARMM for School Year 2020-2021 shall be on 24 August 2020. This will allow the Ministry to prepare learners, teachers, parents, schools and other learning institutions for education continuity. This is aligned with the school calendar and activities set by DepEd National Office as per DepEd Order No. 007, series of 2020 which is consistent with Republic Act 7797.

2. Opening of schools do “not necessarily mean that teachers and learners will undergo the traditional face-to-face in-classroom setup” (DepEd National Office statement 05 May 2020).

3. Schools shall adopt appropriate and feasible learning delivery modality such as, but not limited to, face-to-face, blended learning, distance learning, home-based learning, homeschooling and other modes of delivery depending on the local COVID-19 Risk Severity Classification in compliance with minimum health standards issued by MOH and BARMM-IATF. Even in areas where schools are allowed to open, physical distancing will still be required, which will necessitate schools to combine face-to-face learning with distance/home-based learning.

4. Private schools, SUCs and LUCs offering basic education are also encouraged to open on August 24, 2020. However, those who prefer to open classes earlier will be allowed within the period authorized by Republic Act No. 7797, which is not earlier than the first Monday of June but not later than the last day of August, provided, that:

a. No face-to-face classes will be allowed earlier than August 24, 2020, and from then on, face-to-face classes may be conducted only in areas allowed to open physically, subject to local risk severity grading and compliance with minimum health standards certification from the RHU-MOH or authorized government offices.

b. They shall submit in advance the following documents to the MBHTE Regional Office for review and monitoring purposes:

i. Schools plan for compliance with minimum health standards that will be issued by RHU-MOH or authorized government offices, consistent with guidelines by the Ministry of Health (MOH), BARMM-IATF and the OCM.

ii. Schools Learning Continuity Plan showing alternative delivery modes of learning when face-to-face learning is not allowed, in accordance with the guidelines to be issued by the MBHTE.

iii. Schools Calendar of Activities for SY 2020-2021.

IV. TEACHERS AND PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT AND WORK ARRANGEMENTS

1. Public school teachers, including newly hired and deployed, shall start rendering service on June 1, 2020. They will attend, virtual or face-to-face, orientations and trainings activities on the utilization of the distance learning delivery modalities, prepare instructional materials, and plan the organization of classes in consideration of the learning delivery modalities to be employed. If skeleton workforce will still be the operative government guidelines by June, MBHTE/division offices shall issue appropriate alternative work arrangement guidelines to the field to comply with prevailing policy, and to ensure safety of all personnel and safe work environment. Their respective division offices shall issue a corresponding Identification Cards (IDs) and Certificate of Employment to these newly hired teachers in order for them to report to their work station unhampered.

2. Learning and development programs for teaching and non-teaching personnel must continue particularly those that strengthens the human resource capacity to better respond to the current context. Training and development programs in schools and districts may be conducted either through the Learning Action Cells or other adaptive modalities by strictly following the minimum health and safety standards.

V. TEACHING AND LEARNING PROCESSES

1. Teaching and learning processes shall be adaptive to the current context and continue to deliver quality education that is relevant to the needs of the learners, their families and the Bangsamoro people and the society-at-large in conformity with the minimum standards set by the National Government.

2. Schools Division Superintendents, Education Program Supervisors, Master Teachers and ICT Trained Teachers, with support from the Regional office, shall take the lead in the development of instructional materials/ modules in preparation for the opening of classes.

3. The learning intervention for Alternative Learning System (ALS) shall also formally open on August 24, 2020, while the program duration will depend on the learner’s educational background or existing knowledge level prior to enrolling in the ALS program.

4. Because of the compressed school year, distance/home-based learning activities relevant to the learners’ holistic development, such as ALIVE/ISAL classes, early learning and other learning activities, shall be conducted on Saturdays or Sundays to complete the total number of 203 school days.

5. Class break in December shall begin on Saturday, 19 December 2020. Classes shall resume on Monday, 4 January 2021.

6. Pursuant to the objectives of Sulong EduKalidad, schools shall strictly devote the eight (8) weeks of each academic quarter to teaching and learning activities. Learners and parents must be made aware of their responsibility to engage actively in the learning process and participate according to the requirements in each learning area.

7. Given the differing circumstances and capacities of the learners and households to cope with the new modalities of learning, a number of learners may be left behind. Thus, efforts to provide remediation and enhancement activities shall also be given attention.

8. Classroom assessments, namely, formative and summative assessments shall be conducted by the teachers/asatidz to track learners’ progress and to adjust instruction accordingly. These shall be done through paper-based, offline or online and other adaptive assessment format, whichever is appropriate to the context and needs of the learners, to enable them to participate fully in the assessment process and be assessed fairly. However, assessment of learning should consider the context and learning environment from which learning activities are conducted.

9. National assessments such as National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE), Early Language Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (ELLNA), National Achievement Test (NAT) and Accreditation and Equivalency (A & E) Test shall be administered subject to guidelines of DepEd National, DOH, the IATF, and the OP.

10. Schools and Community Learning Centers (CLCs), with supervision from the Ministry and Division Offices, are authorized to decide on the specific learning delivery modalities (such as distance/home-based and online learning through the Learning Resources Portal and DepEd Commons; use of TV and radio; and learning modules and packets both in print and digital format, which may be deemed appropriate in their context. Where face-to-face modality is allowed, there shall only be a maximum of 15 to 20 learners in each class per session using double-single or other schemes in compliance with the social distancing measures set by the MOH.

VI. EDUCATION FOR LEARNER IN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES

1. Education services in school-less Barangays, IP communities and Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) must be continuously delivered through Alternative Learning System and other alternative delivery and distance learning modalities. Communication devices/platforms such as handheld radio, TV, AM/FM radio, etc. shall be used.

2. Schools and other learning institutions offering basic education shall carefully plan and continuously provide education services for learners with special needs.

VII. CURRICULAR, CO-CURRICULAR, AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

1. Mental health, psychosocial or psychological first aid activities for learners, orientation on precautionary and preventive measures, such as water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and discussions on the characteristics, effects and other COVID-19 related topics shall be conducted during the pre-opening of classes.

2. Health and nutrition services such as, but not limited to, feeding program shall be implemented. The Regional Health and Nutrition Unit shall coordinate and conduct consultations with stakeholders to determine the manner of program implementation appropriate to the context of learners and parents, and social distancing measures set by the MOH.

3. The conduct of curricular, co-curricular and extracurricular activities that involve gathering of large number of learners, such as science fairs, showcase of portfolios, trade fairs, school sports, campus journalism, festival of talents, job fairs, career orientation, and other similar activities are cancelled for the school year, except for those that can be conducted through online and other advocacy platforms.

4. Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela will be undertaken from June 1, 2020 to August 29, 2020. Oplan Kalusugan (OK) sa MBHTE will be scheduled in September 2020. Separate guidelines for these activities will be issued.

5. The conduct of activities related to Palarong Pambansa shall be decided separately by the Palarong Pambansa Board.

6. Career guidance activities for Grades 9 and 10 learners shall be conducted between September 2020 and January 2021 to guide them in making informed choices on their preferred Senior High School track using modalities applicable in the learner’s situation. College and middle level skills fair, job fair, business, SHS summits and entrepreneurship expo, and similar activities shall be cancelled.

VIII. SAFETY AND WELL-BEING MEASURES

1. Special preventive measures shall be instituted to learners and education personnel who are considered to be vulnerable, those below 21 years old and above 60 years, as well as those with immunodeficiency, comorbidities, pregnant women and other health risk. All schools shall ensure that learners and personnel accomplished individual health card form for proper health assessment by the school nurse or clinic teacher. Learners and personnel who maybe in need of special care shall be referred to health care provider for appropriate advice. Precautionary measure and standard health protocols such as wearing face-mask, face-shield, handwashing and physical distancing must be strictly observed in all schools.

2. Teachers are encouraged to develop learning activities that require physical exercises to develop and maintain physical fitness and agility of learners.

IX. PARENTS AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENTS

1. A general assembly of stakeholders shall be conducted by all schools at the beginning of the school year to orient stakeholders on curriculum, learning delivery, co-curricular programs, and ancillary services that support learners’ development and other continuous improvement initiatives, and to generate proposals. In addition, Mid-year (October) and Year-end (April) General Assemblies shall also be held to present the School Report Card (SRC) and consult the assembly on how to better achieve the vision, goals, and objectives. Schools shall decide on the appropriate mechanism for undertaking the activity, e.g. teleconferencing, face-to-face, etc., as deemed appropriate.

2. Parent-Teacher-Learner Conferences and Dialogues shall be conducted regularly to facilitate open communication between the school and the home to ensure effective implementation of learning continuity.

3. Report Cards shall be distributed to parents/guardians where feasible, otherwise a scanned copy may be uploaded online for access of only the learner and his/her parents or guardian, in consideration of the confidentiality of school records.

X. CLOSING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR 2020-2021

1. Deliberation of awards and recognition may be conducted two weeks before the graduation or moving-up ceremonies by the School Awards Committee (AC) for the following:

a. Learners who will receive recognition and awards; and

b. Learners who are candidates for graduation.

2. Accomplishment of year-end financial clearance of learners is strictly prohibited in accordance with the Department’s No Collection Policy.

3. Remedial, advancement and enrichment classes during summer shall begin on Monday, May 3, 2021 and end on Friday, June 11, 2021.

4. In preparation for the opening of classes for the SY 2021-2022, the schools shall conduct the following activities:

a. Early registration of incoming Kindergarten/Tahderriyah, Grades 1, 7 and 11 learners as well as locating, identifying, and registering Special Education (SPED) learners, Out of School Children (OSC) and Out of School Youth (OSY) from January 30 to February 26, 2021, in conformity with DepEd Order No. 3, s. 2018.

5. Offices in the Regional Office in-charge of various programs shall monitor the compliance of schools with the provisions of these guidelines. School Division Superintendents and School heads shall take a lead for the effective utilization of resources (MOOE) and efficient implementation of this guideline and submit regular reports and feedback to the Regional office.

6. The school year shall end on 30 April 2021.

GUIDELINES FOR MADARIS EDUCATION AND ISLAMIC STUDIES

The Madaris Education and Islamic Studies adheres and supports the general policies and guidelines of MBHTE anent the different modalities of providing basic education delivery services for SY 2020-2021 as a sub-sector of the Ministry.

I. ENROLLMENT

1. Enrolment period in madaris shall be conducted from 1 to 30 June 2020 to all learners intending to enroll in madrasah for SY 2020-2021. Those enrolled in the February 2020 early registration shall be included.

2. The 1 to 30 June 2020 enrolment ensures circumstances of generating

factual data of pupils enrolled in accredited madaris.

3. Madrasah Coordinators shall continuously engage with madrasah stakeholders to help madrasah administrators disseminate information on the enrollment plan and the new Madrasah Education Program (MEP) under MBHTE through multi-media.

4. During enrollment, parents/guardians shall provide information by filling up the enrollment and survey form intended to collect information related to the adoption of appropriate learning modalities and support needed to ensure learning continuity.

5. Asatidz shall also encode the accomplished enrollment and survey forms in the template provided by the MBHTE Regional Office. The schools, districts, and divisions will consolidate and submit to the regional office on or before 24 July 2020 to guide the determination of appropriate and practicable learning modalities.

II. OPENING OF CLASSES FOR SY 2020-2021

1. Opening of all madaris recognized and accredited by MBHTE shall be on 24 August 2020 and ends on 30 April 2021, in order to:

a. Synchronize with the School Calendar of Basic Education under MBHTE.

b. Have proper preparation time for the conduct of Brigada Madrasah and Balik-Madrasah, madrasah safety activities, setting up of WaSH/WinS facilities, etc;

c. Study and institute measures to avoid the spread of the virus;

d. Prepare appropriate psychosocial interventions to the learners, parents, asatidz, and the community; and

e. Align similar madaris program with that of basic education program implementation timeline.

2. Before the official opening of classes on 24 August 2020, Madrasah mudir (principal) may use the days in July and early part of August to gather data on the different modalities the madrasah may apply. It shall provide ample time to coordinate/link with nearby madaris officials, to identify teachers/asaatidz that need training on the different modalities of education instruction, preparation of teaching-learning materials intended for either face-to-face intervention, home assignment, e-distance learning and/or modular learning. The parents may choose the type of learning their children will prefer and may support them in their studies.

3. Madrasah opening will not necessarily mean traditional face-to-face learning in classroom. Adoption of various learning delivery options such as but not limited to face-to-face, blended learnings, distance learnings, home-based learning, homeschooling and other modes of delivery shall be implemented depending on the local COVID-19 Risk Severity Classification in compliance with minimum health standards issued by MOH and BARMM-IATF. Even in areas where schools are allowed to open, physical distancing will still be required, which will necessitate schools to combine face-to-face learning with distance/home-based learning.

4. New madrasah teachers/registrars shall be educated on how to assign pupil’s Learning Reference Number (LRN) thru distance/home-based and online learning and other means which may be appropriate in their context to ensure that enrolled pupils have LRN.

III. MODALITIES

1. In the preparation of classes from June 2020 and before the official start of classes on 24 August 2020, the madrasah mudaraa (principals) in consultation with learners and parents/guardians shall provide survey forms to generate pertinent data to be considered for adoption of relevant education delivery system and strategies in further support to the learners for the school year.

2. Mudaraa shall apply the following:

a. With supervision from the Ministry and Division Offices, they are authorized to decide on the specific learning delivery modalities (such as distance/home-based and online learning through the Learning Resources portal and DepEd Commons; use of TV and radio; and learning modules and packets both in print and digital format) which may be deemed appropriate in their context. Where face-to-face modality is allowed, there shall only be a maximum of 15 to 20 learners in each class per session using double-single or other schemes in compliance with the social distancing measures set by the MOH.

b. Home-study assignment Modality

i. With the confirmation and support of parents/guardians, the asaatidz shall be trained in monitoring and evaluating the learning process using modular instructions or self-learning. The teachers/asaatidz and the learners shall agree on the teaching and learning schedule and checking of learning outcome. This modality shall apply to elementary and high school level learners.

ii. Adoption of the different delivery modalities by the madaris shall be implemented depending on the state of severity of COVID19 Classification in the area and with the minimum health standards issued by the BARMM-IATF.

iii. Mudaraa of madaris may coordinate/link with the Basic Education in their area which have medical and dental units on the close monitoring of the health/physical fitness of the learners.

iv. Because of the compressed school year, distance/home-based learning activities relevant to the learners’ holistic development, such as ALIVE/ISAL classes, early learning and other learning activities, shall be conducted on Saturdays or Sundays to complete the total number of 203 school days.

IV. TRADITIONAL MADRASAH AND ISLAMIC LEARNING CENTERS

1. Traditional madrasah and Islamic Learning Centers are private learning

institutions addressing some of the educational needs, ideals and

aspirations of the Bangsamoro. Classes are conducted for two or three days a week which may fall on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, as the case may be. The curriculum is more on learning Arabic language, reading and reciting the Qur’an Al Kareem, Tafsir (translation) of the Qur’an, Aqeedah and Fiqh (Islam jurisprudence) and sayings and teachings of Prophet Muhammad

S.A.W. The faculty members in the traditional madrasah are high school graduates and foreign graduates of Shariah, Da’wah and Tarbiyyah.

2. Traditional madaris and Islamic learning centers that are not yet accredited by the Madaris Education and Islamic Studies Office (MEISO) may adopt for the meantime their traditional enrolment and the face-to-face delivery system but shall observe strictly social distance protocol of 15-20 learners per section/classroom. They shall also be encouraged to closely coordinate and link with the local RHU to ensure the safety of their personnel and learners.

V. ALIVE/ISAL TEACHERS/ASAATIDZ

1. ALIVE/ISAL program in the public elementary schools shall observe the guidelines and policies of the MBHTE on the different modalities of instructions. ALIVE/ISAL teachers/asaatidz and Madaris Coordinators shall coordinate/link/dialogue with the principal of the school on the type of modality the learners of ALIVE/ISAL program may opt to adopt. Standard health protocols shall be strictly observed.

2. Mudaraa shall coordinate closely with the health personnel of Basic Education Division Offices to intensify health and nutrition services, such as, but not limited to, the feeding program.

3. Madaris Education and Islamic Studies shall also ensure the provision of education services to learners with special needs.

4. The academic, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities of Madaris that involve huge number of learners such as sports-fest, science/trade fairs, career-guidance, etc, are subject to IATF guidelines, including those that can be conducted through on-line like Reading and Memorization of Qur’an competition and other advocacy platforms.

5. Brigada madrasah and Oplan Balik-Madrasah will be undertaken from 1 June 2020 to 24 August 2020 similar with the public schools system.

6. Madaris Education and Islamic Studies Office shall conduct OPLAN KALUSUGAN (OK) for the learners enrolled in madaris in partnership with the Basic Education Office.

7. Other essential programs, such as but not limited to the use of technology in relation to health and safety shall be coordinated with appropriate offices of the Ministry.

8. All madaaris shall ensure that their learners and personnel accomplish their individual health card form for proper health assessment. Learners and personnel who maybe in need of special care shall be referred to health care provider for appropriate advice. Precautionary measure and standard health protocols such as wearing face mask, face-shield, handwashing, and physical distancing must be strictly observed in all madaaris.

9. Validation of madrasah for accreditation, surveys and consultations on readiness of madaaris and preferences of learners, teachers/asaatidz and parents shall be conducted from 1 to 30 June 2020.

10. Teachers/asaatidz are encouraged to develop learning activities that require physical exercises to develop and maintain physical fitness and agility of learners.

VI. CLOSING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR 2020-2021

1. In preparation for the opening of classes for the SY 2021-2022, the madrasah shall conduct early registration of incoming Kindergarten/Tahderriyah, Grades 1, 7 and 11 learners as well as locating, identifying, and registering Special Education (SPED) learners, Out of School Children (OSC) and Out of School Youth (OSY) from 30 January to 26 February 2021, in conformity with DepEd Order No. 3, s. 2018.

2. Offices in the Regional Office in-charge of various programs shall monitor the compliance of madaris with the provisions of these guidelines.

3. Madaaris school year shall end on 30 April 2021.

GUIDELINES FOR TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT (TESD)

These guidelines shall be adopted for the duration of the State of Public Health Emergency.

I. ENROLLMENT

There shall be no enrollment during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). For areas under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), the Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs) shall shift to online enrollment. TVIs located in areas under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) shall adopt a combination of face-to-face and online enrollment. Enrollees may submit their registration forms and other requirements through email.

II. START OF CLASSES

The earliest commencement for the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs is in June 2020 which will be available for those in the GCQ/MGCQ and for programs with enough spaces to practice social distancing, such as agri-related qualifications. For those under ECQ and MECQ, online training is advised and can already be offered and utilized.

III. TRAINING DELIVERY

During community quarantine periods, the TESD Regional and Provincial Offices will advocate the use of asynchronous eLearning tools through TESDA Online Program (TOP) or other open-source online/offline training courses.

Subsequently, training delivery modes should shift from a face-to-face approach to distance learning methods and other alternative learning systems. For TESDA scholars, eLearning programs which include full-on-line training and blended learning should be taken advantage of.

Competency-based training delivery can be implemented where a limited number of scholars/trainees are assigned per workshop. This is to ensure physical distancing of at least one (1) meter in between persons.

Training schedule and session plan that will be adopted in the New Normal shall be submitted to the Provincial Offices (POs) for approval, especially for scholarship programs.

IV. FLEXIBLE LEARNING IN TVET

The TESD Office of the Ministry shall adopt innovative and flexible learning in continuing the delivery of TVET, making TVET resilient against educational disruptions and responding to the challenges of the digital economy. To this effect, a separate guideline on the implementation of flexible learning in TVET will be issued.

V. COMPLETION OF TRAINING

Requirements for training portfolio assessment leading to the recognition of prior learning shall be accepted, e g.

1. Certificate of Completion from online course;

2. Video documentation; or

3. actual outputs of the scholar/trainee

As most of the qualifications that are covered in the scholarship programs still require face-to-face and actual demonstration of the required tasks, the scholars still need to undergo the institutional assessment to complete the training. The submitted training portfolio can form part of the institutional assessment.

Portfolio assessment (or online assessment) can be utilized for some qualifications under the mandatory National Competency Assessment.

VI. ADMINISTRATIVE PROTOCOLS

All TVIs shall ensure that the following minimum health and safety standard protocols are observed:

1. Administration of Risk Factor Questionnaire

2. Use of PPEs (e.g. face masks, face shields, goggles) by all employees and trainees at all times.

3. Regular sanitation of all workstations, workshops and laboratories, rooms and buildings.

4. Provision of alcohol, sanitizer and wash facilities in strategic areas.

5. Provision of doormat/foot bath with disinfectant.

6. Provision of no-touch thermometer at main entrance.

VII. COMMUNICATION CHANNEL IN THE NEW NORMAL

The TESD Regional Office and Provincial Offices (ROPOs) shall adopt asynchronous communication channels like email, google doc comments, and recorded videos for information sharing with the TVIs. ROPOs will also allow the use of digital signatures for signing documents in PDF format.

GUIDELINES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

I. OBJECTIVE

These guidelines shall provide for the policy of the MBHTE – Higher Education on the continuity of learning in higher education institutions (HEIs) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and the “New Normal”.

II. SCOPE AND COVERAGE

These guidelines shall apply to all HEIs in BARMM and shall cover the last term (second semester or third trimester) of Academic Year (AY) 2019-20 and the entire Academic Year 2020-21.

III. COMPLETION OF ACADEMIC YEAR 2019-20 AND THE CONDUCT OF 2020 SUMMER CLASSES

The HEIs shall strictly adhere to the guidelines and issuances of the Department/Ministry of Health, the national and regional inter-agency task forces (IATF) on emerging infectious diseases, and their local government units.

The HEIs shall employ alternative learning or flexible learning systems, including online learning, to ensure that AY 2019-20 is completed. They shall adopt their respective policies regarding alternative strategies and methods for completion of student requirements and computation of grades, without prejudice to the attainment of the learning objectives in higher education. Non-essential and other requirements may be modified or waived. The remaining time for the on-the-job trainings (OJTs) of junior and senior students may also be waived or replaced by other requirements. In addition, HEIs shall further employ feasible alternative modes for the conduct of 2020 summer classes.

IV. HEI LEARNING CONTINUITY PLANS

The HEIs shall submit to MBHTE – Higher Education not later than 30 June 2020 their respective Learning Continuity Plans (LCPs). The MBHTE – Higher Education will closely work with them and monitor them to ensure that they have feasible and responsive plans for their operations amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

V. ENROLLMENT AND OPENING OF CLASSES FOR AY 2020-21

In line with the “New Normal”, classes in higher education for AY 2020-21 shall be opened not earlier than 01 September 2020, unless otherwise modified by the MBHTE, the IATF, or the concerned LGU, subject to issuance of proper guidelines.

Enrollment processes shall be eased and, as much as practicable, shall be made through online and other electronic or innovative means. Reliable phone calls and/or text messages of students who do not have internet access signifying their interest to enroll shall be considered by the HEIs as officially enrolled. As such, cell hotline numbers of registrars must always be accessible. Payments of tuition and other fees may be deferred to a later date.

VI. HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS OF HEIS

Prior to opening of classes, the HEIs shall conduct disinfection activities and precautionary and preventive measures. They shall adhere to minimum health and safety standards and protocols promulgated or issued by the Department or Ministry of Health such as, but not limited to, physical distancing and wearing of appropriate face masks. Hand washing, sanitation, and hygiene facilities shall be established at accessible and strategic locations within the respective premises of the HEIs. The health conditions of the HEI constituents shall be assessed and monitored.

Curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular and other mass gathering activities, including non-contact activities and those that can be virtually conducted, shall be subject to guidelines of MOH and IATF.

VII. ALTERNATIVE OR FLEXIBLE LEARNING SYSTEMS

Physical or face-to-face conduct of classes shall be subject to approval of the LGU, and or the IATF. Where face-to-face modality is allowed, there shall only be a maximum of 15 to 20 learners in each class in compliance with the social distancing measures set by the Ministry of Health.

The HEIs shall thus employ alternative learning or flexible learning systems, including online learning, to ensure the continuity of learning of students for AY 2020-21.

A survey or assessment shall be made regarding internet connectivity and the capacity and readiness of the HEIs to employ such systems. The MBHTE shall ensure that proper interventions are implemented to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of the alternative learning or flexible learning systems.

In line with the preceding provision and prior to the start of classes, the HEIs shall conduct orientations on the nature, causes, effects, and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as mental health, psychosocial or psychological first aid activities to adequately prepare, equip, and provide the students with necessary support to cope up in the “New Normal”.

VIII. CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT AND READINESS OF HEIs

The MBHTE – Higher Education shall ensure that the HEIs and their workforce are capacitated and are ready to implement measures in the “New Normal” and in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Orientation and training activities for the instructors and teaching personnel as well as development of instructional materials and learning delivery modalities of HEIs shall be initiated or facilitated by the MBHTE – Higher Education. HEIs, may also propose, subject to the approval of the Ministry, an instructional materials and learning delivery modalities which they may see fit or effective in their respective areas.

IX. HEI’s WORK ARRANGEMENTS

In line with these guidelines and other issuances by proper authorities, such as, but not limited to, the Department or Ministry of Health, the Civil Service Commission, and the IATF, the HEIs shall issue their respective guidelines regarding applicable work arrangements such as but not limited to physical reporting and work from home arrangements. The health and safety of all higher education constituents shall always be ensured.

Bangsamoro MBHTE Memorandum on Guidelines for Education Continuity Plan for SY 2020-2021

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