DISTANCE LEARNING: THE ACADEMIC AND MENTAL EFFECT TO GRADE 10

STUDENTS OF ANTIPOLO NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL

CHAPTER 1
THE PROBLEM AND IT"S BACKGROUND
1.1 INTRODUCTION
Since the pandemic began two years ago, distance learning has emerged as the most viable
option for the country's education system to continue. Students do not need to be physically
present to attend classes because all they require is an internet connection and a device to use.
However, distance learning began to have a negative impact on students' academic performance
as well as their mental health. According to SEQuRE’s survey from November to December 2020,
31% of 1,395 teacher respondents believed one to three out of every ten of their students were
unable to keep up with their classes. Furthermore, 54.7 percent of students reported that distance
learning activities had harmed their physical and mental health. Parents are concerned when they
see their children struggle and have mental breakdowns every time they do their school works.
This has been going on for two years, and the students' efforts and distress have yet to be
addressed. Distance learning is a complex approach, and we will address the harm it does to a
student's academic performance and mental health in further detail in this study.
1.2 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Distance learning, especially online classes were developed to allow students to continue their
studies despite the difficulties. The country is unprepared for this as said by Liza Marie Olegario
(Education psychologist, SEQuRE's research director) and was never meant to last, as was the
risk of the Covid-19 itself. However, as we can see, the pandemic is still present. People perceived
online classes to be much more relaxed than traditional classes, whereas all we need is access
to technology in order to attend classes, learn, and submit our school work. Unfortunately, it is
much more difficult than they believe because students must keep up with lessons in a short
amount of time, in addition to the fact that activities are given at a rapid pace. They must balance
their household responsibilities with their studies, and not every student understands how to do
so.

Some pupils are also not used to self-learning and require assistance from an instructor. An article
of the Manila Bulletin (September 4, 2020) even stated that several students said that they are no
longer learning, as their focus has shifted to completing assignments daily. The main issue with
this flexible learning is that students must be adaptable as well, which was not previously
practiced. Students are frequently affected by online learning challenges, which have a negative
impact on their mental health and performance. Some students are dealing with anxiety,
depression, emotional stress, insomnia, and other issues. These pupils who study at home and
virtually feel more distracted (72.0%) and the majority of them missed eating out (68.8%) as the
BMC Medical Education's online data have collected.
Even educators are struggling as they are suddenly presented with something new that has been
initially a minority in the educational system. The Movement for Safe, Equitable, Quality, and
Relevant Education (SEQuRe Education Movement) 2020 survey has also mentioned that 54%
of the teacher respondents said a definite portion of their class lags behind. Both are now
presented with another huge obstacle in virtual education: feelings of isolation and detachment in
online courses as a result of a lack of face-to-face contact with other pupils and teachers. Several
studies conducted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic found that contacts with other students and
teachers were essential for academic achievement and played a major role in their development
and student fulfillment. Teachers' efficacy influences a student's academic performance (Hoy,
2000), and this has also been limited since the introduction of virtual learning.

The study's proponents chose to investigate why critical issues concerning distance learning
emerge in the midst of the new normal. The researchers conducted this study because we can
relate to it and our point of view is available because we are students ourselves. This study aims
to raise awareness among the general public about the difficulties associated with distance
learning so that they can better assist students. It is critical to understand how well students are
performing in their online classes in order to determine what everyone can do to help and to stop
discrediting what they're going through. There are numerous aspects that should be considered
as to why students are accumulating their schoolwork and slacking off. Students are usually
unable to balance their online classes and daily lives, and there are reasons for this.

That being said, the objective of this research is to investigate the various causes of students'
growing poor academic performance and how they can overcome it despite the challenges. And
even before the epidemic, the country's performance in terms of reading, mathematical, and
scientific literacy was already among the lowest in the 2018 Programme for International Student
Assessment (PISA) global survey. Which has yet to be tackled, as the implementation of the
Covid-19 and online learning worsened the education issue. It is vital for educators, parents,
psychologists, and the government to take immediate action on this issue in order to produce
better students and future adults from this generation.
1.3 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The research focuses on the effect of distance learning on students' academic performance and
mental health, specifically Grade 10 students from Antipolo National High School of the academic
year 2021-2022.

In order to solve these, an attempt will be made to provide answers to the following questions:

1. Why do students get overwhelmed and pile up their school works instead of doing it earlier?

2. Why is it necessary to assess the student’s mental and psychological state during their classes?

3. How does distance learning affect a student’s mental state when it comes to responding to their
activities?

4. How is it possible to help the students give out their potential during online classes?

5. How can students help themselves in enhancing their learning experience?

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The results of the study will benefit the following:

TO THE STUDENTS. This research is evidence of what every student is dealing with right now,
thus it will make them improve and help themselves without working too hard. Students can
identify the factors that influence their performance and mental condition in order to plan and
implement countermeasures.

TO THE PARENTS. This will enable them to give their kids the attention and support that they
require during their virtual learning, which will highly benefit their children and may also improve
their performance and well-being.

TO THE TEACHERS. This research informs them on how to improve their teaching techniques
and relationships with their pupils, as well as how to bring out the potential and performance of
each student without diminishing their efforts.

TO THE GOVERNMENT. As they read this research, the government can make meaningful
enhancements to the approach and competencies that they establish for each student, and be
more aware of the learners' abilities and limitations.
1.5 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS
This study focuses on the impact of online classes during distance learning on the mental health
and academic performance of Grade 10 students from five sections of Antipolo National High
School's online learning modality, which are sections that are also handled by our English
instructor. This research will not address topics that are not regarded to be one of the primary
effects of virtual learning on students' mental health and performance.

We aim to focus on the causes and effects, the factors that affect the students’ performance and
give out advice regarding the topic at hand.

Using a pre-formatted online questionnaire to be created on Google Forms, the data will be
sourced from Grade 10 pupils from the five sections of Antipolo National High School— Andres
Bonifacio, Antonio Luna, Apolinario Mabini, Carmen Planas, and Artemio Ricarte from S.Y 2021-
2022. They will be asked for their experience during the first conduct of distance learning from
S.Y 2020-2021 and additional information on their present experience for the 2nd year of their
virtual learning (2021-2022). The sample population will consist of ten (10) students per section,
with a total of 50 students from five (5) sections. Through the given answers from the respondents,
the researchers will be able to see the effect of distance learning on their academic performance
and mental health.
1.6 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Distance Learning- A new method of learning that was established during the pandemic One of
the learning modalities is online classes.

Online class - Unlike a traditional class, online classes are held virtually where students use the
internet and technology to learn.

Covid-19- A widespread virus/disease that affected the country and is the major cause why
distance learning was implemented.

Online questionnaire- Online survey form that collects the respondents’ (Grade 10) experience
about their first and second year of distance learning.

Technology- Composed of different gadgets, the internet, and other media that is used during
online classes.

Sample Population- These are the number of students per section that will be chosen to answer
the questionnaire.

Mental health - The mental well-being of the students during their virtual learning.

Academic performance - The rating of the capability and effectiveness of a student in every
subject.