Untested mandatory distance learning

IT’S just as well that the first day of the compulsory distance learning of grade school pupils and high school students has been moved to October 5. If it had not been postponed anew, we would have seen another day of chaos and confusion that accompany opening of classes but with a huge difference this time – it will be among school officials and parents, not among teachers and DepEd officials as was always the case for the past five decades.

First of all, like the COVID-19 contagion and pandemic, the mandatory distance learning is without precedence and caught the government and parents totally unprepared six months ago. The biggest challenge and nightmare confronting education officials and parents has been how to effectively educate millions of children across the country with a completely, untested different system.

Aggravating the situation for both teachers and parents, is the national education policy materials require instruction, preparation and production of lessons in 7 different dialects, on the premise that the established face-to-face classroom environment will continue.  It will not.

Everyone realizes there is no certainty that the hurriedly prepared system and materials will work, principally for the teachers and parents of the students. The only thing that’s certain is that there is the constitutional mandate that requires government and parents to give our youth the education they need and deserve.

We can only cross our fingers that our touted resiliency and patience will carry us through another expectedly chaotic situation with the expected kinks and lapses.

 

Obey and be okay

WHAT is clearly being learned from this perilous pandemic pouning the world is the importance of following government directives at all times.  This COVID-19 scourge is definitely the deadliest in recent memory to bash mankind.  From “only” 12 million infections worldwide on July 12, patients today have breached the 20-million mark, with one million-plus deaths from “only” 550,278 a month or so ago. We are not being spared, too, as we now have more than 100,000 infections from a “mere” 52,000 confined in hospitals from across the archipelago.  Deaths at 2,000-plus “only.”

The recently reimposed lockdown in Metro Manila ending August 18 has arrested infection spikes somewhat, thanks to our people’s discipline to heed health safey measures through frequent washing of hands, social distancing and wearing of face masks/face shields. Crucial, too, is making it a habit to stay at home. Indeed, obey and be okay.

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments