DepEd tells teachers to watch out for distance learning’burnout’

The Department of Education (DepEd) has reminded teachers to watch out for students experiencing “burnout” due to the adjustments and unfamiliar requirements brought about by the transition to distance learning, a week after classes started.

Teachers can consider making some learning module activities optional for students to prevent them from experiencing “burnout” due to the “overwhelming” requirements that must be accomplished just a week after classes opened via distance learning, DepEd Undersecretary for curriculum and instruction Diosdado San Antonio said.

“These should be discussed by school teams because they are the ones who agree how many tasks are reasonable [for students],” San Antonio said.

The DepEd official however clairfied that the education department was not blaming teachers for assigning numerous requirements to students as this was a way for them to “show how much they have learned.”

“We do not want the students’ excitement in learning converted into burnout,” San Antonio said.

Classes in public schools opened last week via distance learning as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to threaten the health of students, teachers, and school workers.

Several groups have earlier expressed concern for the necessary adjustments for both teachers and students on the sudden transition to distance learning. But DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones had instead repeatedly highlighted the importance of continuing the studies of learners, even declaring the Oct. 5 opening of classes as a “victory” against COVID-19.