Ministry of Education has launched the first virtual high school program, a pilot project for high school students from outlying states of Palau such as Angaur, Peleliu, and Kayangel.
The program, according to Minister Dale Jenkins, was designed to accommodate the needs of students from outlying states that have to leave their homes and families and move to Koror to attend high school.
“It’s an exciting project, a pilot dedicated to those three islands so that they can keep their children with them in their community longer rather than losing them at the age of 12 and 13,” reported Minister Jenkins.
“It is not meant to take the place of face-to-face learning, a preferred method,” added Jenkins, but provides an alternative to those who are unable to attend face-to-face learning. The program is said to be geared toward the needs of the students and the community.
Virtual learning, or long-distance learning as it is also referred to, has already been applied in local schools, particularly in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic first started and the schools had to be closed.
Intense training of the teachers to deliver virtual classes in anticipation of more school disruptions was held during the summer of 2020 and tablets were provided to each student so that they can also learn and submit work from home.
Under this pilot program, the students will be able to attend and participate in the lessons virtually from where they are and will be able to ask questions and interact.
Virtual learning has become much more of a norm in many countries around the world due to the pandemic that has caused school shutdowns for long periods.