Ken Rozen C. Meniano¹, Rosie G. Tan^1,

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has altered educational systems globally, particularly in the Philippines. The Department of Education utilizes printed self-learning modules (SLMs) to facilitate modular distance learning (MDL). This abrupt shift resulted in students' difficulty learning amid crisis, especially in mathematics. This situation is alarming as it is becoming rampant in public schools wherein several students have difficulty. This study explored students' challenges in learning mathematics using printed self-learning modules. The study took place in December 2021 at the Alfonso Ang Militante Integrated School (AAMIS) in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, Mindanao. The study employed a phenomenological research design, with ten (10) randomly selected grade 9 students participating in semi-structured in-depth interviews. The interviews were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis to analyze and interpret the findings. The study's findings yielded six (6) central themes: difficult lessons and activities, distractions in learning, difficulty understanding English instruction, absence of assistance from people, poor quality of modules, and lack of time management. This study has implications for the Department of Education (DepEd) alternative learning modality in new normal education, parents and teachers' student support, and students' independent learning and capability.

lived experiences, challenges, COVID-19, mathematics, mathematics education, modular distance learning, self-learning module