Reconsideration of Face-to-Face Classes

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way people lived. It has turned the world into a new normal. We can now
see people wearing face masks and face shield, as it is now considered to be the new normal. Our movements nowadays
are only limited. We are observing social distancing to avoid getting infected by the virus. It has vastly changed the way
of lifestyle of the people. Our country is not an exception in this time of pandemic. A lot of Filipinos are also suffering
from COVID-19 virus, to the extent that some have lost their lives because of this deadly virus. The virus has affected all
aspects of our lives and the education is not an exception. We are now embracing the change in educational system.
From traditional face-to-face classes, it is now shifted into the new normal way of education, which is the distance
learning modalities which is adapted by the Department of Education. Students are now having classes in their
respective homes through printed and digital modules, radio and television-based instructions and online classes. But, as
the time goes by, restrictions of the lockdown implemented has been lower down. Some establishments and activities
were already approved by the IATF like cockfighting. With this approval, why don’t the government try to reconsider the
face-to-face classes? As a student, I am having a hard time adjusting to the new normal way of education. In this case,
reconsideration of face-to-face classes should be done in order to ease the difficulties of students like me in adapting the
new normal way of education.
Reconsideration of face-to-face classes will help me as a student to learn more. Resources that I need in coping
with the lessons are almost found in schools. Well, I believe that face-to-face classes is better than of the distance
learning modalities because it allows us to have instant gratification with answers and help. While during this time, I
don’t receive any support from my parents because they are busy working. My siblings are also busy doing their
modules. That is why, I prefer to have face-to-face classes. When a student is in class, they can ask questions while it is
fresh in their minds or help with a particular problem. Even Sen. Nancy Binay urged the government to reconsider the
resumption of face-to-face classes while responding to the persisting threat of COVID-19. According to her, “Children
could not be locked up forever. We’ve already heard first-hand feedback from the parents and teachers that modular
and online learning are not for everyone.”
Second, if the government allows kids to go out and have vacations and go to the mall, how come they wouldn’t
allow the resumption of face-to-face classes? The places that they have been through are a high-risk environment, and
they even allowed kids to go there? How ironic! With the resumption of face-to-face classes, the government should
ensure the readiness of local school so that proper health protocol will be observed. Sen. Recto and Sen. Marcos have
also questioned the government’s decision to prioritize the opening of more businesses like amusements and movie
house rather than the resumption of face-to-face classes wherein students could learn even more.
Lastly, the reconsideration of face-to-face classes would give a chance to students like me to gain my confidence
back and overcome anxiety we felt from staying at home. With the implementation of lockdown, I have been worrying a
lot because what will my future be if this pandemic will continue. Seeing the previous environment which I have been
exposed to might bring my confidence back.
This global health crisis affected millions and millions of students all over the world. This pandemic has been a
remarkable emergency crisis this 21 st century. As a Filipino student, we’ve already had the first-hand experience of the
worst effect of the pandemic, especially it had affected they way we learn from the traditional way. With the salient
points that were pointed out above, the government should take its actions to reconsider having face-to-face classes.

Postponement of National Elections

National election is already fast approaching. We are now in 2021. And next year, it would be another
presidential election. Newly set of officials will be elected. And we will be witnessing new and another president who
will lead and run the entire country. But with the pandemic we are having today, is it necessary to hold the presidential
elections? What will be its implications? Should we prioritize this election despite having the threat of COVID-19 virus?
Well, for me, I must say, that we should not postpone the national election rather, it should be rescheduled only and
remote voting could be an option.
 For this reason, if national election will be postponed, it will give our public officials, especially those who are
not functioning a longer time to remain in their offices. Meaning, they will have a longer time doing nothing but getting a
huge compensation. In this case, people will temporarily not exercise their rights to vote. If the national elections will be
postponed, it will give opportunities to some public official to take advantage so that they could preserve their position.
Next, remote voting could be an option to held the national elections this time of pandemic. South Korea, has
already been putting emergency mechanisms so that citizens could exercise their rights to votes on their upcoming
elections. The United States of America has already done their election this time of pandemic, and it was successfully
held, wherein they have elected their new president in the person of Joe Biden. According to Toby James, one of the
contributors in the theconversation.com website, the coronavirus pandemic is a reminder of the unexpected risks
involved in running an election. Contingency planning is the best hope of keeping electoral show on the road.
I know that there is still a huge threat of COVID-19 in the country. But when will this pandemic end? Are we
going to wait for this pandemic to end before we held our elections? There are a lot of alternatives to do just to continue
the national elections this 2022. The Commission on Elections should take its actions to make the national election
possible in 2022.