Education Amidst Pandemic

The Covid 19 pandemic started in March, 2019 and that begins the global learning crisis
in 161 countries, one of these is the Philippines where the educational institutions such
as Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority decided to modify the learning system of
the Philippines by executing new learning modalities for the “new normal” like distance
learning which can be in modular form of learning, online distance learning, and
television, radio-based instructions. Another modality is the blended learning and
homeschooling. Behind these brilliant ideas are the educational institutions’
stakeholders, educators, and numerous students who are having so much difficulty in
involving themselves in the new educational system in the middle of a pandemic.

Many people observed that the “new normal” learning system brings heavy impact on
both students and teachers physically, mentally, and emotionally as well as the
country’s economy wherein there is an increased dropout rate, losses in learnings, and
increased learning poverty but despite these struggles along the whole school year, I
still commend the educational institutions in continuing the process of learning. As a
citizen of the Philippines, I do believe that it is better to start even though it is a new set
up for all and the process is hard but at least we are now coping with the changes and
we are starting to understand and adapt this system rather than just gawking, doing
nothing, and just waiting for the pandemic to end. If not now, then when? A question
that will make people think that we should do an action and we should not be conquered
on the limitations set just because of the pandemic.

Education is very important in our everyday lives. Ignorance is so dangerous but it can
be treated. Just go with the flow of changes, adapt with it and do the best you can in
coping with it. There are so many presented vaccines for the corona virus but the most
effective thing to fight against the virus is to be educated in all aspects. People should
be educated on how to follow safety protocols to protect themselves, people should be
aware of what they should do if ever they are infected and I believe that these things
would be gained through education. Self-discipline and cooperation are key to survive
this educational year, everyone is experiencing struggles and difficulties in learning, in
providing for the family, in teaching, and in all other profession so why not just do your
best and strive for success even if we are all in the middle of this darkness, who knows
tomorrow is the end of this. Educators are one of the frontlines of this pandemic, they
are the backbone of education, they are also having difficulties like the learners, but
they are all for it because behind every screen in online learning are teachers that are
truly dedicated and compassionate in educating students despite the situation, and in
every house and online applications that served as a “new normal” classroom are the
students who are trying their best to work this school year well.
Cabunilas, Yvonne Kyle B.
BEEd 2 Fairview