Photo: Getty Images
Cover Photo: Getty Images

The imminent dangers of COVID-19 forced every Filipino student to learn at home. Secluded from the rest of the world, some could no longer bear this setup—here's why

If it not for the COVID-19 pandemic, school playgrounds, libraries, cafeterias, and classrooms would be filled with noisy and enthusiastic students. Instead, they are replete with deafening silence. One year and five months since the virus gave its dreadful blow to the country, academic scholars are now calling for Ligtas na Balik Eskwela or safe return to school policies. 

What Is Distance Learning?

In the Philippines, both the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) implemented distance learning. This type of education is initially provided for students who may not always be physically present in the classroom. 

When the pandemic upended Filipino people's lives, distance learning became a quick solution given to students who still want to move on with their studies. It involves series of online meetings (typically via Zoom) where students and their mentors interact virtually.

Read more: COVID-19 Update September 2021: The Philippines' Ranking In Cases, Vaccination, And More

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Online learning (Photo: Jeshoots/Unsplash)
Above Online learning (Photo: Jeshoots/Unsplash)

Lack Of Resources 

Among the most important tools in remote learning are fast and stable Internet connection, learning modules (books, pamphlets, and whatnot), and a reliable laptop or mobile device. In an ideal world, every student would have equal access to these materials; however, this is not the case for many of the Philippines' scholars. 

At least four out of 10 students do not have any device needed for distance learning according to a recent survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS). The poll, which was taken from November 21 to 25 2020, found that only 58 per cent of enrollees from five to 20 years old are using gadgets for homeschooling. Among these numbers, 27 are already owned, 12 per cent were bought, nine were given, while 0.3 were rented.

The remaining 42 per cent said they do not use devices for distance learning.

Meanwhile, in a different study, the SWS found that about 31 per cent of Filipino families with members studying through remote learning have unstable or weak Internet connections.

Related: How To Spot Fake News? Here Are 5 Easy Tips You Can Follow

Some Shools Remain Closed

Over the last few months, the national government remained firm in its decision to halt physical operations in schools and universities until further notice. The Education Department reportedly filed three different proposals for face-to-face classes in 2020, all of these were disapproved by President Rodrigo Duterte.

By the end of September, it is believed that there will only be two countries where classes are done remotely: the Philippines and Venezuela. According to Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Secretary-General Raymond Basilio, this can be revoked if the government decides to allow "limited, voluntary, and targeted" face-to-face classes.

"We are gravely concerned [about] the possible effect of [blended learning] to our students," he said in a radio interview. "Maybe in a few years, our students can't write a basic sentence because we don't have an assurance they are learning from the current set-up."

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A student in the school library (Photo: Redd on Unsplash)
Above A student in the school library (Photo: Redd on Unsplash)

Students Call For Partial Reopening of Classes 

Several students call for the partial reopening of classes in areas where COVID-19 cases are nonexistent or low. In a viral Facebook post last July, student leaders from Cebu wore their school uniforms to campaign for safe back to school policies. “Wore my school [uniform] at the cafe today to campaign for #LigtasNaBalikEskwela. If malls, tourist spots, and bars have reopened, we should push for the safe and gradual reopening of schools too!" the post said.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) also shares the same sentiment. According to the agency, prolonged school closures have a significant impact not just on children’s skills attainment and earning prospects, but also on their physical and mental health.

"While online education can guarantee some continuity of learning for some children, these services are no substitute for in-person attendance. Moreover, access to online learning remains woefully uneven, with disadvantaged children–including those with disabilities, those affected by migration, and excluded minorities–bearing the brunt of the shortcomings of digital education," the group stressed.

120 Public And Private Schools Deemed Low-Risk

On September 20, 2021, the Malacañang announced that 120 private and public schools that are deemed low-risk for COVID-19 can now impose limited face-to-face classes. These specific institutions include "a maximum of 100 public schools in areas categorized as minimal risk" and that have "passed the readiness assessment," and an additional 20 private schools validated by the DepEd and Department of Health (DOH).

As of this writing, the Education Department has yet to release the list of schools that would participate in the pilot run.

While it is true that the stakes of returning to our normal lives outside are low, we must take into consideration the collective call of people who can barely swim the high tides we travel comfortably. 

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