The occurence of COVID-19 pandemic has brought serious challenges worldwide. One that being eminently affected are the global educational systems. According to World Bank Group, as of March 28, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic is causing more than 1.6 billion children and youth to be out of school in 161 countries. This is close to 80% of the world’s enrolled students. During this time of global educational crisis, both school administrators and teachers are expected to establish alternative modalities of teaching from conventional “face-to-face” learning, or the traditional “brick-and-mortar schools” to “blended learning.”

Notre Dame of Makilala, Inc. is cruising through the “new normal” approach to learning. As for the preparation, the RVM Sisters, headed by S. Ma. Eufemia E. Horlador, RVM, initiated the opportunity for the teachers to undergo series of trainings and seminars administered by the Education Ministry Commission (EMC) chaired by S. Ma. Marissa R. Viri, RVM and the University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC), Davao City. On June 5, 2020, the teachers were given a seminar concerning Blended Learning Approach conducted by the EMC and a lecturer came from UIC, Dr. Jo-Ann Y. Solomon. Blended learning is a fusion of “online distant learning” and “in-person” dissemination of the printed learning materials of the learners. Seeing that online learning is not accessible to all, Notre Dame of Makilala, Inc. (NDMI) teachers are preparing Self-Learning Modules (SLMs) readily available to students starting on August, 24, 2020. These self-contained unit or package of study materials contain the essential competencies generated from the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs). On June 19, 2020, the teachers had also a training on Google Classroom given by Ms. Kristine Mae M. Adlaon, an assistant professor from UIC. During the seminar, the teachers were supervised in managing the teaching and learning process via Google Classroom using G Suite account to streamline the process of sharing files between teachers and students making it easy to create classes, distribute assignments, communicate, and stay organized. On July 3, 2020, Ms. Kristine Mae M. Adlaon, also had given the teachers a lecture and training about Google Sites where they were taught to create a portal for the class, create and organize online resources necessary to google classroom. Progressively, the school administrators and teachers are working closely to be prepared for the reopening of classes on August 24, 2020.

NDMI, amidst the life-threatening adversity head on, shall continue to provide transformative Ignacian-Marian education furthering the legacy of Faith, Excellence, and Service.

-Rae Cristine Caminero