'We will not tolerate it': DepEd to crack down on 'online kopyahan' groups
The Department of Education (DepEd) is now coordinating with authorities to investigate so-called "online kopyahan" in social media after a Facebook group where students reportedly shared test answers for learning modules went viral
The now-deleted community, which had nearly 700,000 members, contained posts of answered test papers and questionnaires on different subjects.
"We are now seeking the assistance of the authorities and tracing. May questions kasi diyan eh tiyaka may key tayo for the questions; kung na-leak ba 'yan or napunta sa mga estudyante o nagkopyahan, kailangan imbestigahan natin 'yan," Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.
"We will take steps and we already are in touch with the appropriate authorities because we will not tolerate it," she said.
Discouraging online cheating
Grade 11 mathematics teacher Jojo Asuncion discouraged his students from joining groups where students share test answers. He acknowledged the difficulty students face amid the pandemic, but said that these should not be an excuse to cheat.
"Alam namin na hindi madali ang umunawa sa mga lessons kung walang nagtuturo ng personal. Alam din naming hindi lang modules ang inyong inaasikaso dahil nasa loob kayo ng mga tahanan niyo," he wrote on Facebook.
"Walang halaga ang kumpletong tamang sagot sa modules kung kinopya niyo lang," Asuncion lamented. "Mas mainam na inunawa niyo ang mga ito at itinanong sa mga teachers nyo."
He assured students that teachers aren't looking for perfect test scores. "Doon kami sa tamang pagkatuto niyo. Nandito ang mga teachers niyo na handang tumulong sa inyo."
Meanwhile, the Alliance for Concerned Teachers (ACT) suggested changing the distance learning and module system and recommended providing support to learners instead. ACT secretary general Raymond Basilio also called for the resumption of face-to-face classes in low-risk areas.
President Rodrigo Duterte has approved DepEd's pilot testing of limited face-to-face classes on Sept. 20, which includes 120 schools in areas with low COVID-19 risk.