The global COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges and

disruption in the education system. This disruption is coupled with socio-economic impacts
and traditional learning environments, and systemic inequalities, has greatly affected Filipino
children’s learning and well-being. According to World Health Organization (WHO), the
pandemic’s impact is worse among the most vulnerable children. These are the children and
youth who are out-of-school (OSCY), children with disabilities (CWD), those in indigenous
peoples’ (IP) communities, and those who are still recovering from previous and co-existing
emergencies and disasters.
Statistics shows that, in crisis situations, girls are generally at a disadvantage. They
are more susceptible to gender-based violence because they are expected to care for younger
siblings, and perform household chores. On the other hand, boys above the age 11 are sent to
work to contribute to the family income. Children’s health, sanitation, and safety issues at
home, in school, and in the community are just some of the issues faced by school-aged
children especially girls, which are exacerbated by the pandemic. Without proper knowledge,
skills and, and attitudes towards sanitation, and safety, learners’ health could be compromised
within the contexts they are presently in.
It has been observed by the Department of Education that, from previous experiences
of pandemics, where school and community quarantine or lockdown were implemented, that
health crises created a wide range of barriers to the school system. Even when community
quarantine measures are lifted, such barriers make school children’s return to school
challenging, thereby causing significant impacts on their learning and well-being.

Questions:
1. Which of the following would be the best title of the passages you have had read?
a. Effects of COVID-19 to Education
b. COVID-19 Pandemics
c. Effects of Pandemic to Girls and Boys
2. Who are more vulnerable to the pandemic’s impact? Why?
a. Boys are more vulnerable on pandemic’s impact because they are sent to work.
b. Girls are more vulnerable on pandemic’s impact because they are exacerbated by
the pandemic.
c. Both boys and girls are vulnerable on pandemics impact because they are young
and innocent.
3. Exacerbated means, _______________?
a. making more severe
b. in good situation
 c. reducing the problem
4. Covid-19 has brought unprecedented challenges and disruptions to education system.
This means that _______________?
a. Something which has never been experienced or done before.
b. It is a familiar situation.
c. It is in line with past occurrences.
5. Which of the following would help individuals lessen if not prevented from getting from
COVID-19?
a. Proper knowledge, skills, and attitudes towards health sanitation and safety.
b. Not following health protocols from the health agencies.
c. Giving freedom to children who are more vulnerable to Covid-19.

Prepared by:
RHODA P. MILLARES
School Health & Nutrition Coordinator