PROJECT LEARNDEMIC (Learning Assessment and Reading Development through Enhanced Modified Intervention and Collaboration)

The CoViD-19


Introduction
Project LEARNDEMIC anchors the specific areas in English, Filipino and MTB involving the learning facilities.This is a flagship project that embodies the specific areas to attain a more conducive learning environment in order to build or regenerate a student's enthusiasm towards reading as embodied in the school's mantra that is "Learn to read, read to learn".In implementing this innovation, the innovators introduced various interventions such as establishing functional sitio libraries, kubo learning hubs inside the campus, home learning corners that was adapted by parents for their children and monitored by class advisers through home visitation, and banaag stories collection book used by teachers in their storytelling activities during visitation activities in various sitios.Specifically, all these interventions are described as follows: 1. Sitio Libraries -The sitio libraries are reading facilities equipped with various reading materials in English, Filipino and MTB established among the three major sitios of Barangay Rizal.The establishment of such facility was made possible with the voluntary gestures of concerned parents who offered a part of their house to be devoted to reading facilities for the school children living nearby.Prior to the implementation of the sitio library operation, learners were oriented with proper library etiquettes as well as the care of the learning materials in order to make the library operation in order.Having this facility, learners were allowed to borrow books or other learning materials using their school library card to the designated and volunteered sitio librarians.

Abstract
The CoViD-19 pandemic has brought serious impact to the various sectors of society especially in education where teachers experience difficulties in the teaching-learning process with their learners.Due to lack of internet connection, teachers of Ansulag Elementay School opted to use modular distance learning delivery mode where learners have to answer every activity or learning task provided in their module at home and submit such to their teacher as scheduled without the usual teacher-learner interactions.This affect learners' access to quality instruction that affect their learning outcome.Thus, the learning gap between the abilities that learners would have developed in the context of standard educational practice and their actual learning is significantly noted.In line with the 2021 National Reading Month was themed "Bawat Bata Bumabasa Sa Kabila ng Hamon ng Pandemya," (Every Child Reading Despite the Challenge of the Pandemic) as per DepEd Memorandum No.348, s.2021, the innovators crafted a reading innovation which is the Project LEARNDEMIC (Learning Assessment and Reading Development through Enhanced Modified Intervention and Collaboration).This is aligned with ECARP-Every Child A Reader Program, 3Bs or Bawat Bata Bumabasa, the Regional Innovation banner program: LIBRO or Literacy Initiatives Bridging Reading Opportunities and the division banner program E-RENE (Enhancement of REading and Numeracy towards Excellence).All these initiatives is in support to the DepEd's mission and vision as well as the regional mantra that every child a champion as per RM Order No.753 s.2021.
2. Kubo Learning Hubs (KLH) -The kubo learning hub is a small hut made of indigenous materials designed to house the various learning materials for learners.These learning hubs were constructed in strategic corners inside the school campus through the initiative of the innovators with the support of the school, parents and other concerned stakeholders.At present, there are already three functional kubo learning hubs equipped with learning materials in all subject areas and each named according to the sitio that funded the construction of the said hubs as follows: first, KLH -Abacanhan Starbooks, second, Ansulag Pick-A-Book, and third, Matira-a Kaalamhut.These hubs were managed by teachers together with the school utility personnel.
3. Home Learning Corner -The home learning corner is a learning space in home where various learning materials are placed and organized for ready reference at all times.The establishment of reading corners at home by the parents was materialized after the innovators conducted series of meetings and orientations to parents as part of the school's advocacy plan.Doing this, will not only provide conducive learning environment to learners but at the same time it instills learners the values of housekeeping management.4. Banaag Stories Collection Book -The Banaag Stories Collection Book is a learning material consists of selected short stories appropriate for elementary learners.This material was used by teachers, dressed with colorful costumes, during the storytelling activities every week with an aim to keep the children entertained with the stories and learns moral lessons that can help them realize and appreciate the values in every situation.All these scenarios will lead them develop or enrich their passion in reading which is the purveyor for learning across disciplines.

Objectives of the Study
The Project LEARNDEMIC, as an innovation, aims to: 1. Promote and sustain a conducive learning environment within the community and school; 2. Nurture and stimulate learner's interest towards reading and learning; 3. Establish and maintain learning environment that promote and support access to quality learning resources offline; 4. Improve learner's reading competence and school's performance; and, 5. Bridge learning gap as impact of pandemic.

Materials and Methods:
A. Conceptualization Activities During the heights of pandemic, the innovators was inspired on the school's encouragement among teachers to make an initiative that will bring learning opportunities closer to where the learners are.With this, meetings were set among the innovators discussing issues, problems and the possibilities of making an innovation that will contribute in the improvement of the learner's learning.With the help of various suggestions and insights from co-teachers, parents, and other stakeholders through consultations, the innovators were able to craft an innovation for reading considering that it is the main cause of learner's learning gap in all subject areas.This innovation is designed to extend learning resources and facilities from school to households and communities.Thus, the Project LEARNDEMIC came into reality as an innovation.
With the school support of this innovation, all teachers were tasked to conduct series of orientation regarding the innovation in coordination with Sitio Parent Officers (SPO).Then, the SPOs of every sitio conducted an echo orientation to parents/guardians and other stakeholders in their respective community in order to gather support for the success of the innovation implementation.

B. Process Flow/Framework
The success and failure of the innovation implementation is dependent on the existence of various mechanisms necessary for the learner's empowerment through reading as shown in figure 1 below.Prior to the implementation of this innovation, potential risks and issues were identified and corresponding measures were taken to minimize or prevent the impact as shown in Table 6.Proper housekeeping and safety of learning materials at all times prior to bad weather conditions.

EE-2023-33
Flexibility of teacher's schedule to sitio visitation in case of bad weather conditions.

Sustainability
Institutionalization of the innovation as part of the curricular and instructional delivery strategy.
Barangay and City ordinance and resolution in support to continuous implementation of the innovation as part of the curricular practices of the school and this division

G. Progress Monitoring
The program is continually supervised by the school particularly the innovators to ensure proper and continuous implementation of the innovation with the help of parents and SPOs, barangay officials, and concerned stakeholders.Such monitoring was conducted by the teachers and innovators weekly, using the innovator-made monitoring tool in order to gather data regarding learner's performance as well as the innovation implementation process.The data gathered from the monitoring activities were tabulated and analyzed using appropriate statistical tool in order to determine the success and failure of the innovation.Doing so, will serve as important input to decision making or realignment of the innovation implementation.The impact of this innovation was proven significant as far as the learners and teachers are concerned.Such significance is indicated in table 7.

Figure 1 .
Figure 1.The Process Flow

Table 1 .
Innovation Management Team

Table 2 .
Timetable of Activities of this innovation, various resources were generated and utilized for the benefit of the teachers and learners as shown in Table3, 4, and 5.

Table 3 .
Resources Generated and Utilized

Table 6 .
Risks and Issues Management