BY IME SORNITO, RHENJIE MARIE CALANTAS AND GLENDA TAYONA
ILOILO – Now that face-to-face classes are back, teachers are excited, happy and thankful. They look forward to work double time to address the gaps in students’ learning encountered during the height of the pandemic.
“We are full of energy to share gid ya and very enthusiastic nga somehow ang gaps and problems puede namon sia ma-solusyonan kay we are now in the transition of face-to-face,” said Cheno Sia Pollan, master teacher I of Pavia National High School in Pavia, Iloilo.
Pollan himself took the initiative to innovate and reach out to students so he opened their backyard and established the “Tulon-an sa Harden,” a community- and home-based library in Barangay Tigum, Pavia.
He transformed the backyard garden of his mother into a learning hub with educational materials. Those willing to learn are welcome there.
“Welcome ang mga learners even around my community para somehow matudloan sila in terms of simple arithmetic operations and literacy kag pabasa gid or reading,” Pollan added.
In line with the celebration of Teachers’ Month this September, Pollan also has a message for everyone.
“We are committed to do our task to teach learners. We are asking for support and prayers as well para ang duty and responsibilities namon ma-fulfill and worth it man ang amon existence as teachers sa lives sang mga learners. Everything is possible gid ya when we keep holding on and helping each other build a better community for a better Philippines,” said Pollan.
Another teacher, Argy Catolin, a member of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and teacher-in-charge in Aglonok Primary School in Barangay Aglonok, Calinog, Iloilo who handles kindergarten, also expressed optimism on the return of face-to-face classes.
Like the other teachers and parents, Catolin believes that in-person learning is more effective and students can learn better.
He teaches his fellow IP members in the remotest barangay of Calinog town which is 72- kilometers away from his house. He stays in the community during weekdays to teach and goes home on weekends.
“Mas nami na subong kay face-to-face na sila, matudluan gid sanda sa eskwelahan. Kumpara sang modular nga gamay lang ang ihibalo ka ila mga ginikanan, ti, limitado man ang pagtudlo sa ila kabataan. Kag subong maayo gid kay excited man ang mga kabataan magpa-eskwelahan kag kami excited man magtudlo sa ila,” Catolin said.
He then talked about the struggles they experienced during the height of the pandemic.
“May times nga indi kami kasaka kag hatag kang module kay may mga cases sa mga barangay nga agyan namon. And, indi kami sure kon safe man ang kadtuan namon. Kag ang mga tawo nga masumalang sa dalan,” Catolin recalled.
But regardless of his experience, he said it is all worth it because he knew it is part of his passion and commitment as a teacher.
Catolin is now on his fourth year as a teacher in Aglonok Primary School and never in his mind had he thought to look for other schools to teach comfortably.
“I’m happy to serve my fellow IPs and to give back and serve my community,” he added.
On the other hand, Kinder teacher Jean Dhen Palcullo of Tigum Elementary School in Pavia said they had consultations and meetings with parents and barangay officials on how to provide quality and better education in the midst of the pandemic. Palcullo is very happy that they are now conducting limited face-to-face classes.
“Sa karon todo focus gid kami kun ano gid ang importante nga ma-learn sang mga students since limited man ang time nila sa school kag gin-divide sila by set. Honestly, makapoy pero mu na ang ginsumpaan namon kag we need to do this man para may ma-learn gid ang aton mga estudyante kay lain gid ya kung face-to-face,” she said.
Moreover, Pavia National High School MAPEH teacher Andro Jalbuna said face-to-face classes are much more easier because teachers can assess the learnings of students right away.
“Mas hapos subong kumpara during the time of pandemic kay makita namon sanda kag mapa intindi pa gid namon sila sang ila nga lessons. Kun ano mga queries nanda ma-cater namon dayun since tubangay kami sa classroom kag mapa intindi sa ila kung ano ang indi nila maintindihan, unlike sa online or module nga indi kamo magkilit-anay,” Jalbuna expressed.
During the pandemic, he noted that they cannot evaluate their students unlike when they are on a face-to-face discussion.
“Challenge gid sa akon nga part kung paano ko mapa-intindi ang akon mga students kay ang iban nga estudyante ya kun ano lang da module nila mu na lang. Iban wala pa ginabasa maayo, indi mo ma-follow up. Pero kung face-to-face, there is evaluation gid after the class kun sin-o maka-intindi or indi para maliwat mo ang lesson if majority nabudlayan,” Jalbuna stressed.
Education is of utmost importance and as teachers they need to manage the new normal form of education. Their vision to guide young learners to success is very important and as teachers they must continue to uphold their aspirations in promoting the welfare of their students.
Indeed, the teachers’ efforts and sacrifices, with or without the pandemic, are all worthy to be acknowledged./PN