Parents’ Involvement in Facilitating Learning Reinforcement During Pandemic

This study aimed to describe the strategies employed and the challenges encountered by parents in facilitating learning reinforcement with their children during pandemic. Also, it determined how the school provided support to these parents under Modular Distance Learning (MDL). It used the qualitative method of research since an interview guide, focus group discussion and home visitation were utilized to gather the primary data as reflected in the problem. Twenty-five parents from Salvacion Elementary School (SES) were taken as informants for this study.

The data revealed that parents used different strategies to help their kids learn. The parents are much involved in facilitation of modular approach to their children in terms of knowledge of the subject matter. They explained the topic to their kids repeatedly to help them understand the lesson. In terms of supervision and instruction, parents are on guard in giving assistance and guidance to their children. Along learning assessment, parents always check the learner’s output to make sure that their children did not miss answering the modules and, also check if the learners’ answers in the activity are correct. It is important that the parents check the answers of their children because it helped assess if the learning is correct or not. In terms of communication, parents said that they have constant communication with their children’s teachers through cellular phone and social media platform. For them, having a good communication with the teacher helped them to know what to do or what to teach their children. And lastly, in relation to instructional support, most of the parents said that they used gadgets and books in facilitating learning reinforcement to their children. It helped them understand some difficult activities in the module.

Parents encountered different challenges while doing the facilitation of learning reinforcement to their children. Some of the parents said that they are doubtful in delivering instructions to their children. According to them, they are incapable of facilitating learning reinforcement because some of the contents of the modules are hard and difficult to understand. They have limited knowledge in facilitating learning reinforcement. Also, parents found it challenging when there is a difficult question or activity in the module. Despite not being knowledgeable, still they need to teach and explain to their children. Furthermore, in relation to learning assessment, most of the participants said that one of the hardest challenges they encountered as facilitators of learning to their children is the inability to facilitate learning assessment correctly. Lastly, some parents said that what hindered them to communicate with their children’s teacher is their lack of internet connection and no cellphone load. Most of the time, the parents are busy doing their house chores and the teacher is busy as well.

The supports that parents wanted from the school include provision to capacitate them with knowledge and skills and the conduct of regular home visitation. The study recommended that the school heads and the teachers may continually support the parents in the school by having constant communication with them.  Also, the school heads may develop a relevant intervention mechanism that may address the needs and challenges of parents in the facilitation of the modular program.   It was further recommended that the school may provide orientation and seminar to parents in facilitating the modular instructions.

The proposed action plan may be submitted to the Division Office for possible review and evaluation prior to its adoption. Further study may be considered that may include other parents and variables that are not covered in the study.