THE ALLIANCE of Concerned Teachers expressed alarm over the growing number of learners who have not claimed their modules and the dwindling attendance in online classes.

The group lamented that many students have dropped out of their classes because of the “inaccessibility and ineffectiveness” of distance learning.

It cited reports submitted during the recently held National Council meeting on mounting number of unclaimed modules, unanswered retrieved modules and dwindling attendance in online classes.

“It disheartens our teachers that on top of the almost three million drop in enrollment this year, the educational system is failing to keep the enlisted students mainly due to the government’s failure to provide for the needs of distance learning and the unsuitability of the program’s design to the actual capacities and real conditions of the Filipino families,” Raymond Basilio, the group’s secretary general, said.

ACT leaders in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Regions I, XI, XII and XIII reported mounting unclaimed modules. Almost all regions reported that the content and form of the modules are too complicated for the students and even parents to understand. In most cases, they just copy the answer keys provided, their parents accomplish the modules or they submit the modules unanswered.

Teacher-leaders in Region VI, VII, XIII and the National Capital Region admitted that they are way behind the lesson schedule because of the late release of the soft copies of the modules from the Central office and late printing of materials.

Online learning also met problems in Regions III, IV-A, NCR, VII, XI and XIII where education leaders reported dwindling attendance in online classes. They said that less than half of students attend classes regularly.

This was attributed to internet expenses and poor internet connectivity.

“No amount of sacrifice from the teachers’ end can make distance learning work, in fact, it may collapse anytime soon if the Duterte government continues to deny the education sector of the needed support and the DepEd continues to fail in coming up with adjustments and solutions to address the deteriorating education access and quality,” Basilio warned.

The group suggested urgent measures to prevent massive drop out and disenfranchisement of students. These include granting full subsidy for the needs of distance learning in the 2021 budget; provision of gadget and internet allowance to teachers and poor learners; hiring of community tutors to provide instruction to dependent learners wanting of available and capable adult guidance; review and further streamlining of the Most Essential Learning Competencies; implementation of real academic ease by reducing work/study load and activities of teachers and learners; and provision of age-appropriate, truly self-learning and effective learning materials.