THE Department of Education (Deped) said Tuesday, March 29, it is creating a learning recovery plan to address learning gaps brought about by the shift to distance or other learning modalities amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said the plan includes interventions in order to help students catch up and accelerate their learning, as more schools are opening their doors for in-person classes following the easing of quarantine protocols due to the decrease in Covid-19 cases.Alma Toria, DepEd undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction, said the interventions include extending the school calendar, expanding the learning time, establishing learning support centers in schools and community-based learning spaces, conduct of summer learning remediation and intervention programs, and the hiring of additional learning support aides.The DepEd is also looking into strengthening interventions for the student’s reading skills, conduct of house-to-house visitation and follow-up, creation of study group system, establishment of home- and community-based literacy, engagement of parents or guardian teacher-volunteers, and the creation of necessary assessment tasks and resources.It said the agency is also studying the conduct of physical and online learning action cell session, adaptive teaching strategies and classroom assessments, as well as the shift from a traditional way of teaching to tailored acceleration for the professional developments of the educators.“Kasama rin po sa framework natin para sa safe na pagbabalik ng ating mga mag-aaral sa paaralan ay yung probisyon sa health, safety, at wellness,” said Torio.“Under this concept, we would like to address the socio-emotional and behavioral recovery of learners. We will strengthen the Oplan Kalusugan and focus on child protection/child online protection, and establishment of helplines/health lines,” she added.Torio said the first phase of the recovery plan will be implemented starting in the summer of 2022 following a consultation to ensure that it is aligned with the needs of the students and teachers.The National Government has allowed the gradual resumption of face-to-face classes since November 2021.As of March 22, around 10,196 schools nationwide have been conducting limited in-person classes with the guidance of the DepEd together with the Department of Health to prevent the spread of Covid-19. (SunStar Philippines)