Benguet lawmaker calls for online learning contingency – BusinessWorld Online
La TRINIDAD, Benguet — Benguet Representative Eric Go Yap is pressing for online learning contingency amid class suspensions during typhoons and monsoon rains.
Hoping to help curve learning crisis across the country, “it is high time to develop an online learning contingency for suspended classes,” Mr. Yap said.
“We should consider adding a category to shift to online learning when in-person classes are suspended. Not always, because sometimes internet connections are affected,” he added in mixed English and Filipino.
Mr. Yap further proposed a possible shift to online learning could be one way of reducing educational crisis in the country, as some students in both private and public schools struggle to recover from lost lessons due to limited remedial programs and the absence of consistent alternatives during suspensions.
While acknowledging that implementation will be difficult, he stressed the urgency of starting the transition, which could help preserve the academic calendar, reduce backlogs, and maintain learning momentum, even amid frequent disruptions.
The Department of Education in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) reported they recorded 35 class disruptions in 2024 alone, accounting for the highest number of school days lost in the country, mainly due to natural disasters and calamities.
“We are facing a learning crisis. Frequent class suspensions will not help address this. We are a disaster-prone country. Not to mention, we have a lot of national and local holidays. There are way too many disruptions,” Mr. Yap said. — Artemio A. Dumlao