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June 6, 2021 — In continuous support for the Basic Education-Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) and distance learning, the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Palawan has installed 196 mini radio stations as part of the Teachers on Air initiative.

Spearheaded by Mr. Rueben Herrera, the school head of Marikit Elementary School (MES) in Aborlan, Palawan, the Teachers on Air initiative started last May 2020 as support to distance learning. Presently, over 196 Radio Based Instruction (RBI) kits are installed and are being used by learners all over Palawan.

The Initiative was pioneered in Palawan at MES with eight (8) teacher broadcasters personally trained by Principal Herrera. Other schools in the Division have also begun implementing and adapting RBI.

“We know that elementary grade pupils are not independent learners. We know that the parents in our community will also unable to guide their children in learning. Those were the deciding factors why we opted for RBI,” Mr. Herrera explained.

“Our desire to continually guide our learners was the most important thing that we should be doing and we can only do it by teaching over the radio,” he added.

To further guide the learners, MES also introduced the use of a phone patch system dubbed Boses mo, Iparinig mo. Through this, teachers and learners can establish two-way communication, making interaction easier.

In addition, ‘BidaBest’ (Bida na,da Best pa) quizzes the learners on how well they understood the lecture. The teacher will then call a learner to have them recite their answers on air.

MES also launched reading initiatives anchored on the Department’s Bawat Bata Bumabasa program, like the Mga Kwentong Marikit (Story Reading Time by learners), which aims to further guide the learners during distance learning by making reading fun, enjoyable, and accessible.

Furthermore, MES has also developed other off-air enhancement activities for learners who are unable to catch the lesson, to ensure all learners are brought up to speed.

Teacher broadcasters get their training from Principal Herrera and Regional Information Officers. Virtual scriptwriting and radio production training programs were also provided by the DepEd Central Office as early as September 2020.

Mr. Herrera urged other schools in SDO Palawan to adapt their initiatives to support the success of the RBI programs in the division.

“Efforts of teachers and educators are a big help to us. The passion that they are putting in to ensure that their learners remain curious and interested about learning is the essence of DepEd,” Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones commended.

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