Emergency remote teaching experiences of basic education teachers in the Philippines

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/366557563_Emergency_remote_teaching_experiences_of_basic_education_teachers_in_the_Philippines Link to article: https://researchjournal.nrcp.dost.gov.ph The COVID-19 worldwide outbreak drove all educational institutions to enforce school closures and sought alternative ways to sustain education. In response, the Philippine Department of Education initiated social distancing measures, transitioned the curriculum to the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs), and equipped for Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT). However, the shift occurred abruptly with insufficient preparation. Hence, teachers were obliged to deliver education in an unfamiliar environment, requiring additional skills and resources. In this study, the experiences of school teachers who had to endure sudden changes and be exposed in a new teaching and learning environment was investigated. A nationwide survey in April 2021 was participated by 28,859 basic education public school teachers in all levels and descriptive statistics was done to analyze the data gathered. Results suggest that most teachers utilize printed modules as the modality for remote teaching. This finding is probably because stable internet access is still a challenge in many areas of the country. As a result, teachers implement less interactive forms of activities. Facebook also emerged as a widely used means for communication with students and colleagues. Teachers also learned how to use several applications to cope with the demands of the new work environment. With these findings, the education sector is enjoined to conceptualize modifications that could improve remote teaching implementation in the country.