How COVID-19 is changing the basic education system in the Philippines

Published Jun 11, 2020 11:33:35 AM

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 11) — June is back-to-school season in the Philippines, but the coronavirus pandemic is forcing major changes in the basic education system.

The President Corazon Aquino Elementary School in Quezon City — which is among public schools in Metro Manila with the biggest student population — was deserted on the first Wednesday of June when in normal times, it should be filled with children and teachers.

The COVID-19 crisis is keeping public schools closed until August. And even then, things might not go back to normal — especially until a vaccine is readily available to the public.

“There will be no face-to-face classes and sessions until we are assured of the safety of our children and teachers,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said on May 28.

As an alternative to physical classes, the Department of Education is implementing distance learning.

This method allows students to continue learning while staying at home by delivering lessons through various ways, such as online, television, radio, and printed materials.

The move affects around 27 million students from kinder to high school level, 23 million of them in public schools. As of June 10, DepEd data shows over eight million have already enrolled in public schools nationwide.

The new set up is drawing mixed reactions from students.

“Hindi po namin maiintindihan masyado po ‘yung tinuturo ni ma’am,” Micaela Mendoza, a junior high school student said.

[Translation: We’ll have a hard time understanding what the teacher is saying.]

“Matututo naman po kami kung focus kami sa ginagawa namin,” senior high school student Sittie Macunte added.

[Translation: We can learn if we can focus on the classes.]

Parents’ role in distance learning

For parents, distance learning could mean spending more time and money on their children’s education.

Sari-sari store owner and mother of two Rowena Matsui said she may not be able to afford online learning. The family shares one cellphone and budget for internet is also limited.

Her priority is putting food on the table and teaching her kids would be at the bottom of her to-do list.

“Sabi ko sakanila kahit ano ang mangyari, gagawin ko kahit magka-utang utang ako mapag-aral ko lang kayo, pero this time ‘di ko kaya na pag-aralin kayo na ganito ang sitwasyon niyo,” she explained to CNN Philippines.

[Translation: I’ve told them before that I’ll do what it takes to send them to school. But in this situation, with this new set-up, I can’t send you to school.]

One of her sons also prefer the traditional classroom setting wherein there are less distractions.

“Ako po yung taas nang taas ng kamay. Sumasagot po ako lagi. Tapos dito po sa bahay to be honest, laro lang po ako nang laro,” said 8th grader Aaron Matsui.

[Translation: I always participate in the classes. But at home, I am used to always playing.]

Stay-at-home mother Shane Roxas also has her doubts about distance learning. Her son, Christian, is going to be in fourth grade this year. She said she is willing to try exploring alternatives as long teachers can regularly provide printed learning materials.

“Printed provided po sana. Pwede siyang kunin sa school weekly ganon po, pero kung kami magpi-print, dagdag expenses po kasi ‘yun,” Roxas said.

[Translation: Ideally, the learning materials are printed and will be picked up from the school weekly. Printing it on our own will only add to our expenses.]

Christian has tried studying through DepEd Commons, the government’s online platform for education content. But he wasn’t impressed, calling it “repetitive.”

For social studies teacher Jenny Ybut, distance learning could work but both the teachers and parents must put in extra effort.

“Yung module na ipapamahagi libre at kung kailangan silang puntahan sa bahay, gagawin namin. Magbigay lang din sila ng panahon para maturuan ang kanilang mga anak,” she said.

[Translation: The modules have to be free. If we need to go to the students’ homes, we’ll do it. But parents must also put in the extra work to teach their children.]

Teachers as stakeholders

Parents and students are not the only ones affected by the sudden shift. It also greatly impacts the lives of over 800,000 public school teachers.

“Hindi ganon kahanda ang mga teachers sa pagbabagong ito. Pero as a teacher, kailangan palagi tayong updated,” High school Math teacher Shirley Buenrostro explained.

[Translation: Teachers are not yet ready, but we must adapt and remain updated.]

To prepare for new learning strategies, gadgets are a must. Not only do teachers need to come up with simplified modules and worksheets, but also attend seminars.

The DepEd plans to give each public school teacher a laptop. It is estimated to cost around P27 million and officials are still figuring out where the budget will come from.

But Science teacher Manuel Cayao insisted they need it now. He had to buy a laptop from his own pocket. It was an unexpected but necessary expense as he scrambled to find ways to teach his students from afar.

“Sa dami ng mga application na tinuturo sa amin, kami rin nalilito kung alin dun ang effective sa mga bata,” Cayao shared.

[Translation: With all of the applications they are teaching us, we are confused which one will be effective to help the children to learn.]

Some stakeholders believe teachers need more time to prepare. The Teachers Dignity Coalition wants the DepEd to move school opening later. Otherwise, the groups believe quality of education will suffer.

Educational officials admit the sudden shift to distance learning will be difficult, but for them, doing nothing and simply waiting for the virus to go away is worse.

“We have to be instrumental in bringing the change ourselves and we cannot wait because we will have a lot of catching up to do,” Briones said.

SOURCE: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/6/11/COVID-19-2020-school-classes.html