THE DEPARTMENT of Education has hired learning support aides to assist teachers and support learners in distance learning.

“The implementation of the Basic Education-Learning Continuity Plan demands for a holistic approach and a stronger partnership among schools, households, and communities. As such, the need for additional human resource at the school level becomes imperative,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.

The BE-LCP requires the complementary and broader roles of parents, guardians and other household partners, and members of the community to support the learning process of the students at home. Because of this, DepEd saw the need for additional manpower and hired learning support aides.

“As education must continue amidst the pandemic, our teachers tackle the additional tasks, challenges, new expectations in the new normal, thus, the need for the learning support aides is crucial,” Briones added.

The main duties of LSAs are to guide learners and households on the chosen learning delivery modalities, assist teachers in lesson preparation and delivery, and monitor and track learners’ progress and achievement.

“Teachers remain to be the main facilitators of learning. The engagement of LSAs is DepEd’s way of ensuring provision of assistance to our teachers in managing learners,” DepEd Undersecretary Jesus Mateo said.

Also, the LSAs will provide support to students who cannot manage independent learning, including those with disabilities and special needs. They will also help students who do not have a household member or any responsible adult who can help them in their studies.

“The hiring of LSAs is another employment opportunity that can boost local community livelihood in this time of pandemic,” Mateo added.

Qualified individuals who may apply as LSAs include LET passers, private school teachers, especially those who were displaced and have lost their livelihood due to the pandemic, and provisional teachers whose contracts were not renewed.

LSAs shall be engaged under Contract of Service or Job Order. They shall receive remuneration or compensation for services rendered, which shall not be below the minimum daily wage rates set by the National Wages Productivity Commission per region.

All School Division Offices with identified need to hire LSAs were instructed to offer the position to teacher applicants for school year 2020-2021 who were not given permanent or provisional appointments.