Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the educational systems globally, resulting to the
closure of almost all educational institutions. (UNESCO 2020-03-04). As a response to
the pandemic, most governments around the world have temporarily closed its schools,
universities and colleges in an attempt to limit the spread of COVID-19. (UNESCO 2020-
03-04) As of 4 September 2020, approximately 1.277 billion students are affected due to
school closures. According to UNICEF, 46 countries are currently implementing
nationwide closures and 27 are implementing local closures, impacting about 72.9
percent of the world's student population. 72 countries' schools are currently
open.(UNESCO 2020-03-04).

In the Philippines, the government has adopted several measures in order for the
academic calendar to push through amidst the pandemic. Blended and distance learning
are among the numerous measures that are being implemented by educational
institutions as a new normal. However, in order to sustain and provide quality education
despite lockdown and community quarantine, the factors inherent of the new normal
should be taken into consideration in the planning and implementing educational policies.

Statement of the problem

This study seeks to answer the question on how prepared and ready are the educational
institutions, learners and the government regulatory agencies in opening the school
calendar amidst the CODIV 19 pandemic. Accordingly numerous learning delivery options
such as but not limited to face-to-face, blended learnings, distance learnings, and home-
schooling and other modes of delivery (CHED, 2020; DepEd, 2020) will be adopted for
the opening of the school calendar. We are however faced with the following questions:
Are the learners equipped with the gadgets and efficient internet connection needed for
distance learning? Do teachers have enough knowledge and training to adopt to the new
teaching methods? Have the educational institutions formulated a grading system to
properly evaluate and assess the students’ performance in this new teaching system.

Value of the study

The findings for the study will be helpful to the following parties: Educational Institutions,
learners and government agencies especially, DepEd, to help them determine the equity
gaps that exists and the quality of learning compromised and take necessary action.
Every learning institution needs to study how successful online learning is in providing
quality education and outcomes-based education to learners (Basilaia & Kvavadze, 2020).
Researchers who will identify further areas of study as will be outlined in this research
and hence lead to an increase in the body of knowledge.

Definition of variables

Quality education
 Equity gaps
Alternative learning
Internet speed
Face-to face
Distance learning

References

1. "Education: From disruption to recovery". UNESCO. 2020-03-04. Retrieved 2020-

06-10.
2. ^ "COVID-19 Educational Disruption and Response". UNESCO. 2020-03-04.
Retrieved 2020-05-24.
3. ^ "COVID-19 Educational Disruption and Response". UNESCO. 2020-03-04.
Retrieved 2020-07-27.