The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) granted clearance for the conduct of the Distance Learning Modalities (DLM) Survey by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in cooperation with the Department of Education (DepEd). The survey will be conducted by the IDinsight Philippines, Inc., a third-party organization commissioned by NEDA.

The survey intends to support DepEd in assessing the implementation of DLMs outlined in the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP), namely Print Modular Distance Learning (PMDL), Digital Modular Distance Learning (DMDL), Online Distance Learning (ODL), and TV/Radio-based Instruction. The said undertaking will aggregate the experiences of learners, households, teachers, and other education stakeholders over the past two years of remote learning with the aim to inform the potential future utilization of DLMs under a blended learning approach.

Specifically, it aims to:

1. understand the needs, attitudes, and capacities of students, parents/guardians, teachers, and administrators around distance learning;
2. document the implementation of distance learning modalities including effective practices, challenges, and innovations by regional and school division offices; and
3. identify enabling conditions that facilitate the conduct of remote learning.

Major data items to be collected in the survey are the following:

1. Socio-demographic characteristics of household, learner, and parent/guardian;
2. Availability of devices and phone/internet signal;
3. Experience with self-learning modules and other learning materials;
4. Experience with weekly home learning plan;
5. Student motivation and engagement;
6. Time spent on DLMs;
7. Experience with teacher-household communications;
8. Guardian involvement in DLMs;
9. Experience with orientations and seminars for DLMs; and
10. Preferences among learning setups (Face-to-Face, DLM, Blended).

The DLM Survey will be conducted in 150 schools that have been randomly selected from all DepEd-managed public schools across four major areas namely, NCR, Balanced Luzon (except NCR), Visayas, and Mindanao. Within sampled schools, approximately 1,500 households (composed of 750 households from elementary school population and 750 households from junior and senior high school population) will be selected. All respondents from the 750 households for the elementary level will be parents/guardians, and the 750 high school households will include both students and parents/guardians who will be interviewed via phone through Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI). Consequently, 500 teachers from sampled schools will be selected and will be administered using an online, self-guided survey.

A total budget of PhP 1.01 million will be utilized for the survey, specifically on personal services, software and communications expenses, and maintenance and other operating expenses. The survey will commence in August 2022 and results are expected to be released in October 2023.

The DLM Survey was reviewed and cleared for conduct under the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS), a mechanism being implemented by the PSA by virtue of Rule 28 of Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 10625 to:

1. ensure sound design for data collection;
2. minimize the burden placed upon respondents;
3. effect economy in statistical data collection;
4. eliminate unnecessary duplication of statistical data collection efforts; and
5. achieve better coordination of government statistical activities.

In line with this, the PSA enjoins selected teachers, parents/guardians and students in the country to participate in the survey by providing the required information.

For further information on SSRCS, please contact the Statistical Standards Division of the Standards Service with telephone numbers (02) 8376-1928 and (02) 8376-1931, and email addresses ssdss.staff@gmail.com and ssd.staff@psa.gov.ph.

DENNIS S. MAPA, Ph.D.
Undersecretary
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General

See more at the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS) landing page.