IT HAS BEEN more than a year since the Philippine government imposed a nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Different sectors of our society were severely affected, especially the health and education sectors.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Department Education (DepEd) strategized on how to effectively provide quality education to all Filipinos amidst the pandemic. Classes began to resume through the use of blended learning methods to ensure that no students will be left behind.
Teachers in the community serve as frontliners pursuing quality education. They are mandated to print and distribute modules to their students in far-flung areas and learn how to use computers and applications. Aside from that, Radio-Based Instruction (RBI) and other new technologies requiring internet connection were also introduced.
Moreover, teachers are mandated to attend seminars and submit reports. Doing these tasks may vary from different locations and age gaps.
As you see, it is not only the students that have suffered much in this new normal set-up. Our teachers, especially those in remote areas, are stressed out providing modules, RBI, and using online platforms that require electricity and internet connection.
Teachers in the ages of 55 years old and above are having difficulties using gadgets and applications such as Zoom, Gmail and Google Classroom. What makes it more heartbreaking is that despite their efforts to adapt modern methods of teaching, they are not appreciated and are often subject to abuse and shaming by their very own students. One student blamed and cursed his old teacher in their group chat for his “incompetence”.
To all the students, parents and teachers, let us help and be considerate to one another. We are all facing the same hardships in this pandemic. Let us respect each other’s dignity and contributions as members of society.
“Give your teachers the respect they deserve because they are the ones who can help you where you need to go.” – Richard Howard – FRANK JOE MOJICA, Instructor, Palawan State University, Roxas Campus <fj_mojica@psu.palawan.edu.ph>
