Beyond the Pandemic: Last-Mile Teachers’ Insights for Future-Ready Education in Rural Schools
Modular Distance Learning (MDL) became a critical mode of instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in remote schools with limited access to technology and internet connectivity. In this context, learners independently complete lessons using printed self-learning modules, while teachers a...
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Mongolian National University of Education
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Lavai |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mongoliajol.info/index.php/Lavai/article/view/4136 |
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| author | Sonny Villamor |
| author_facet | Sonny Villamor |
| author_sort | Sonny Villamor |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Modular Distance Learning (MDL) became a critical mode of instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in remote schools with limited access to technology and internet connectivity. In this context, learners independently complete lessons using printed self-learning modules, while teachers are responsible for preparing, distributing, and retrieving these materials. This study explores the lived experiences of the last-mile teachers regarding the implementation of MDL in a public secondary school located in a remote community. Using a phenomenological research design, the study captured the lived experiences of 15 teachers selected through purposive and convenience sampling based on their involvement in MDL. In-depth interviews served as the primary data collection method, and thematic analysis was used to identify recurring patterns and insights. The findings reveal a complex view of MDL, with teachers recognizing both its advantages, such as flexibility and learner autonomy, and its disadvantages, including time-consuming preparation and limited resources. Key challenges included difficulties in monitoring student progress, engaging parents, and managing inconsistent work arrangements. To cope, teachers employed action-based strategies, such as home visitations, and emotion-based strategies, such as maintaining a positive outlook and offering emotional support. The study offers recommendations to enhance MDL implementation, including strengthening teacher support, fostering greater parental involvement, and improving training and resource allocation. The study concludes that while MDL has shown potential as a solution during crises, its future success depends on community-wide support, improved logistical coordination, and policies that are adaptable to the evolving needs of educators and students in remote contexts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e2290270664b44138aa1d50ec4bdb092 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2410-4507 2959-9334 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Mongolian National University of Education |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Lavai |
| spelling | doaj-art-e2290270664b44138aa1d50ec4bdb0922025-08-20T03:25:29ZengMongolian National University of EducationLavai2410-45072959-93342025-05-012132537110.5564/lavai.v21i32.41364087Beyond the Pandemic: Last-Mile Teachers’ Insights for Future-Ready Education in Rural SchoolsSonny Villamor0https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5113-5559Department of English, School of Graduate Studies, Philippine Normal University Mindanao, Agusan del Sur, PhilippinesModular Distance Learning (MDL) became a critical mode of instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in remote schools with limited access to technology and internet connectivity. In this context, learners independently complete lessons using printed self-learning modules, while teachers are responsible for preparing, distributing, and retrieving these materials. This study explores the lived experiences of the last-mile teachers regarding the implementation of MDL in a public secondary school located in a remote community. Using a phenomenological research design, the study captured the lived experiences of 15 teachers selected through purposive and convenience sampling based on their involvement in MDL. In-depth interviews served as the primary data collection method, and thematic analysis was used to identify recurring patterns and insights. The findings reveal a complex view of MDL, with teachers recognizing both its advantages, such as flexibility and learner autonomy, and its disadvantages, including time-consuming preparation and limited resources. Key challenges included difficulties in monitoring student progress, engaging parents, and managing inconsistent work arrangements. To cope, teachers employed action-based strategies, such as home visitations, and emotion-based strategies, such as maintaining a positive outlook and offering emotional support. The study offers recommendations to enhance MDL implementation, including strengthening teacher support, fostering greater parental involvement, and improving training and resource allocation. The study concludes that while MDL has shown potential as a solution during crises, its future success depends on community-wide support, improved logistical coordination, and policies that are adaptable to the evolving needs of educators and students in remote contexts.https://www.mongoliajol.info/index.php/Lavai/article/view/4136challengescoping mechanismmodular distance learningperceptions |
| spellingShingle | Sonny Villamor Beyond the Pandemic: Last-Mile Teachers’ Insights for Future-Ready Education in Rural Schools Lavai challenges coping mechanism modular distance learning perceptions |
| title | Beyond the Pandemic: Last-Mile Teachers’ Insights for Future-Ready Education in Rural Schools |
| title_full | Beyond the Pandemic: Last-Mile Teachers’ Insights for Future-Ready Education in Rural Schools |
| title_fullStr | Beyond the Pandemic: Last-Mile Teachers’ Insights for Future-Ready Education in Rural Schools |
| title_full_unstemmed | Beyond the Pandemic: Last-Mile Teachers’ Insights for Future-Ready Education in Rural Schools |
| title_short | Beyond the Pandemic: Last-Mile Teachers’ Insights for Future-Ready Education in Rural Schools |
| title_sort | beyond the pandemic last mile teachers insights for future ready education in rural schools |
| topic | challenges coping mechanism modular distance learning perceptions |
| url | https://www.mongoliajol.info/index.php/Lavai/article/view/4136 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT sonnyvillamor beyondthepandemiclastmileteachersinsightsforfuturereadyeducationinruralschools |