VISUAL AIDS | DepEd urged to rethink order removing wall decorations in classrooms

August 21, 2023 , 01:17 PM

By Beatrice Puente

(August 21, 2023) – Following the removal of wall decorations in classrooms, a teachers’ organization urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to rethink the policy because of its possible negative implication on the learning of students.

Vladimer Quetua, the chairperson of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, said they already wrote to DepEd to clarify its directive that prohibited the posting of “unnecessary materials” on classroom walls. But the agency, headed by Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, has yet to respond.

“Sana mabigyan muna ng pagkakataon na magkaroon ng konsultasyon,” said Quetua on Ted Failon and DJ Chacha sa Radyo 5. “(Pakinggan) sana ‘yung rason ng stakeholders, lalo na ang teachers kasi sa matagal na panahon ay nagagamit ang visuals.”

Signed on August 3, DepEd Order No. 21 outlined the guidelines of the 2023 Brigada Eskwela, which includes the maintenance of clean schools.

“Schools shall ensure that school grounds, classrooms, and its walls, and other school facilities are clean and free from unnecessary artwork, decorations, tarpaulin, and posters at all times,” read the order, further noting that classroom walls “shall remain bare and devoid of poster, decorations, and other materials.”

However, Quetua said the policy did not sit well with many teachers who are used to posting visual aids, such as the alphabet, multiplication table, and Philippine map, on classroom walls. Whether in elementary or high school, Quetua said these informative materials contribute to students’ learning.

As an Araling Panlipunan teacher, Quetua said he posts historical events on the bulletin board to keep his students informed. He noted that every little step counts toward addressing the learning recovery of students.

In 2021, a World Bank study showed that the Philippines recorded a learning poverty of 91%, which means that many Filipino children below 10 years old cannot read and comprehend simple texts. Many experts blamed the disruptions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic as a reason for the huge problem.

“‘Yung talagang classroom (bulletin boards and walls) na ito ay avenue o isang espasyo para lagyan ng dagdag na kaalaman ng mga bata. Maliban sa birthdays, cleaners, dapat gawin din itong espasyo para sa pagtuturo,” urged Quetua.

Instead of removing visual materials, Quetua urged the DepEd to completely remove the auxiliary tasks of teachers to lessen their burden.

“Tanggalin ng DepEd ‘yung mga tinatawag ngang non-teaching o clerical work. Dapat ‘yun ang tanggalin, hindi ‘yung (visual aid materials),” said Quetua.

Similarly, Teachers’ Dignity Coalition chairperson Benjo Basas stressed the need for clarification from the DepEd on what constitutes “unnecessary materials” for the agency, adding that the directive must not be taken too literally.

“We have to understand na napakalaki ng tulong ng posters at educational materials na ito. Alam niyo, lumalabas sa pag-aaral na malaking tulong sa understanding ng mga bata dahil nakakakuha tayo ng learning (mula sa visual aids),” said Basas on TeleRadyo Serbisyo.

(PM)

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