Opening of Classes in the New Normal: It’s All Systems Go for SDO San Juan

As the Department of Education braces for the opening of classes this August 24, 2020, the SDO San Juan on its part, flexes its muscle in ensuring that schools are more than ready to face the challenges of the New Normal Education set up by strengthening its partnership with the LGU and other stakeholders, Contextualization of the Learning Continuity Plan, Upskilling of teachers’ digital preparations and many other innovations designed to respond to the Education Department’s battle cry – Education must continue even in the midst of a pandemic.

In preparation, SDO San Juan City has initiated various programs that would prepare teachers of the new techniques and teaching styles for the new normal of learning delivery. Scores of webinars were conducted to capacitate our teachers in creating modules and learning packets in response to the prescription of Most Essential Learning Competencies provided by the Department of Education. Upskilling on the use of varied platforms such as google meet, FB classroom and messenger, Zoom, CISCO WebEx, and Google classroom were implemented to prepare the teachers in conducting virtual classes.

Likewise, the Online Kamustahan with students and parents was launched to reach out and introduce the various efforts of the Division to cater to their needs during this hard times. It is a consoling effort of the Division to help the learners and parents understand the “new normal in education”. Further, the Division has directed all schools to conduct simulations classes to train the teachers and students in using various platforms in delivering the lesson.

SDO San Juan City has been a catalyst of resilience and adaptability to change under the baton of the very dynamic and innovative Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Cecile G. Carandang, CESO VI. She stressed in a virtual meeting, “During this pandemic, we should work an extra mile to look into the needs of our learners amidst challenges we are facing. We should be stewards of resilience and adaptability for the betterment of the SDO and of the learners”. She added, “All our endeavors and efforts should be anchored on the Learning Continuity Plan of the SDO which is geared towards the realization of our modern mantra, “Ang Makabagong San Juan sa mga Paaralan.”

SDO San Juan City has sought help from the Local Government Unit of the City of San Juan under the magnanimous support of Hon. Francisco Javier M. Zamora, the beloved Mayor of the City. He responded and promised the 12,000 tablets and 1500 laptops in partnership with the Department of Information Technology (DICT) for all learners of San Juan City. In fact, before this pandemic, the city Mayor has already distributed laptops to all public school teachers to equip them with the demands of modern technology in teaching. Moreover, since teachers and students will conduct virtual classes, the City Government of San Juan City will provide free WIFI to all households of the learners to address connectivity concerns.

Despite changes in the landscape of education in the whole country, these efforts and preparations of SDO San Juan City will ensure that teachers, students, parents, and other stakeholders will be ready to realize the “Makabagong Pag-aaral sa Lungsod ng San Juan.”