Ma. Czarinah Mikaela N.

Flores

12 HUMSS 5

Redefining the Quality of Education Amidst COVID-19 Cataclysm

In a matter of weeks, several government agencies worldwide have declared the

provisional closure of educational institutions in light of diminishing the transmission of the
COVID-19 pandemic. As these nationwide closures occur across the globe, the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has currently reported that
approximately about 70% of the global student population are influenced by this crucial
situation, resulting to the enforcement of necessary countermeasures such as implementing
the utilization of online-based learning platforms. However, even as basic learning transitions
into the virtual landscape in order to compensate for the traditional mode of education, can
these academic alternatives be proven as the most practical resolution to solve the educational
cataclysm throughout this global pandemic? If it is, how long can both international and local
authorities’ responses be proven effective in the long-term aspect of this situation? Indeed,
these are the essential questions that we must further delve and scrutinize upon recognizing
the worldwide crisis of the educational system at hand.

Amidst the public health emergency brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic,
schools and universities across the globe have indeed adopted certain means and efforts to
sustain the continuity of education in all subject areas. One of the primary approaches these
institutions initiated is employing both synchronous and asynchronous methods of learning
through modernized mediums. Although, whilst these online learning tools caters most
students’ prerequisites in schooling, those on the other hand whom lack digital access to these
online instruments are mostly incapacitated to participate and accomplish their academic
requirements. With these technical constraints disrupting the learners’ right to quality
education, the government’s response towards this situation necessitates the need for
students’ with no choice but to equip themselves with these online study mediums. That is
why, if technological affluence is now apparently the central basis to ensure learning amidst
this global crisis, the gap in both educational and socioeconomic quality may deteriorate for
most disadvantaged students across the globe. As such, in view of these unparalleled
predicaments, the digital modernization of the world’s educational system can be
acknowledged as both the solution and the challenge for us all.

Currently, as the Philippines, along with other countries, can be situated in the
midst of an enhanced community quarantine, local educational institutions such as state
colleges and universities have managed to administer education via resumption of online
classes. More specifically, the Department of Education (DepEd) has been merely dispatching
certain guidelines, namely the Learning Continuity Plan, for the assurance of education amid
compelling emergencies. Albeit in comparison of the Philippines’ nationwide response towards
the pandemic from China’s, China’s response however, diverse constituents in both public and
private sectors of the community convened a state-of-the-art online learning platform in which
it is comprised of multiple skilled professionals and scholarly organizations. Furthermore, this
platform consists of convenient online educational resources available for types of learners in
the country.

 Then again, besides directing our attention towards the drastic attempts and
operations exerted by local government units in response to this global outbreak, we as
students need to be duly fixated on grasping the concept of what the “new normal” is now
more than ever. Without the absolute reassurance of the COVID-19 catastrophe’s future
outcome, it is indeed decisive for us to consider adapting to this new and unforeseen
environment. Hence, one of the many rational ways in which we can adjust to a blended
learning type of education is by establishing a productive study routine in order to accumulate
oneself with a steady flow of organization and motivation towards home-based learning.
Additionally, it is also equally important for us to consider how we should stay connected not
only towards our online classes and studies but instead, with the comfort and the
encouragement of our friends and families as well.

Thus, with all things considered, global organizations, public communities and
existing leaders worldwide has shifted towards adopting a variety of strategies to battle the
threats inflicted by the pandemic upon quality education, as well as encountering several
distressing challenges along with it. Under these times of dreadful circumstances, educational
institutions are called into action upon the deliverance of fundamental learning and efficacious
alternative education amidst this global crisis, the same as for the students to discover and
acclimate towards the opportunity this pandemic has brought upon them.

References:

Malipot, M. (2020) DepEd prepares for the ‘new normal’ in education amid COVID-19 situation.
Manila Bulletin. Retrieved from https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/04/17/deped-prepares-for-the-
new-normal-in-education-amid-covid-19-situation/

Tam, G. & El-Azar, D. (2020) 3 ways the coronavirus pandemic could reshape education. World
Economic Forum. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/03/3-ways-
coronavirus-is-reshaping-education-and-what-changes-might-be-here-to-stay/

UNESCO (2020) COVID-19 Educational Disruption and Response. Retrieved from https://
en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse