Earl Daniel Remoroza BSA 1-16 Purposive Communication

Topic: DepEd and the Opening of Classes

The Department of Education (DepEd) has reached a decision to set the opening
of School Year 2020-2021 on August 24, 2020 and it will end on April 30, 2021. Also,
DepEd proposed various learning methods such as blended learnings, distance learning,
and homeschooling and etc. One thing is for sure, face-to-face learning shall only be
allowed when the local risk severity grading permits, and subject to compliance with
minimum health standards.

Remember that this decision was based on DepEd’s online survey. It means that
whoever answered that survey can afford internet access, but how about those who
don’t have? Why do we still romanticize the underprivileged Filipino academic
resilience?

With a mental health pandemic and digital divide concerns, academic freeze
must be considered—at least , until unless the curve has flatten. This pertains to
suspending of classes or school year in all modes of learning, especially online classes.
These are the major reasons of what we need to consider in reopening classes:

THE IRONY OF THE INTERNET SPEED

According to the CNN Report,” A 20 year-old student from Capiz died of a
motorcycle accident on her way home, while another 20-year-old student from Masbate
climbed a mountain; both were searching for a signal just to submit their academic
requirements.”

Internet speed in Philippines is continue to lag behind most countries in the

world despite of being world’s no. 1 in using social networks longer. Even we used LTE-
advanced that enhanced the internet speed up to 7mbps, still it is in the bottom of the
charts.
Despite the fact of having unstable connection, it is luxury for the most students
that they can’t afford. Imagine staying online for weeks, paying for the internet, and
going to computer shops, all for the sake of compliance, while families are struggling
and others have nothing to eat, thinking only how to survive every day.

NO CUTS IN TUITION FEES

In spite of having online classes, many school institutions, doesn’t bother to cost-
cut their tuitions. Most of the families cannot sustain even their basic needs, because of
“No Work No Pay,” amidst this pandemic . Resumption of classes will just cause
additional cargo to families and guardians providing tuition and allowances as the
transition to “new normal,”not to mention the incoming electrical and water bills for the
last 5-month lockdown.

Banes in Offline, Off-site

This offline and off-site setup, is an alternative mode that requires the delivery of
learning materials in both by mail. But this set-up will possibly require families to find a
means to procure money for courier fees, among others, when they would rather allot it
for their necessities unless the school will handle the delivery fees.

This also includes the potential use of government’s television and radio stations
for implementation of the distance learning program. The only problem with that is the
students doesn’t have an option to pause or to rewind the clip if they can’t follow the
lesson.

‘Leave No Student Behind’

Insisting this policy will only favor those who are technically-equipped and
financially stable that makes education is a privilege. Learning in this pandemic is only
for those who can afford.

As far as there are underprivileged students, an “academic freeze” is the most

plausible option for students, teachers, and school administrators. It may not be the
best solution but can be adopted until digital divide is fully resolved or results of mass
testing and curve flattening are already evaluated empirically. It can also be adopted in
a “No Vaccine, No Classes,” policy.

This lack of emphaty only infers that our educational system is turning a blind
eye to those who we should help and focus on—the frontliners, the underpriveleged,
and flattening the curve. Education can wait and we should on look on the biggest issue
here.

Education is a right and no student should be left behind.

KYLE POGI HEHE