EDUCATION is undeniably a basic right guaranteed in our Constitution. Every child has the right to learn the fundamental things to lifelong skills. Basic education is free and mandatory at a young age and encouraged among adults under alternative learning programs.
However, recent events changed dramatically the academic landscape. Schools closed before formally ending their academic year. Graduation ceremonies were denied to many and a lot were surprised by early school break. But it was not a happy holiday for everyone. The lockdown was a nightmare to many and a spoiler to some who were supposedly set for summer vacation.
Malls, parks, beaches, resorts, tourist destinations were closed. Mass gatherings like parties, reunions, weddings, birthdays, fiestas, and traditional interment were prohibited. Travel was suspended and regulated.
Government declared a state of a health emergency. This human-induced global disaster prompted all the states to call all citizens to stay home and be safe. The pandemic is real, dead-serious, and alarming.
However, despite terrible health risks, the Department of Education (DepEd) plans to open schools on Aug. 24 with all preventive and safety measures it can possibly give. There will be no face-to-face classes, DepEd assured. Hence, the various learning modes: online class, blended, homeschooling, and distance learning among others to ensure the continuity of learning amid the pandemic. Also, a survey on family learning preferences and household resources showed that only 18 percent of households in the country have internet access and only 55 percent of households have smart phones. In Cebu province, 82.71 percent of students have no internet access.
Despite the huge challenge in online teaching and limitations on different modalities, DepEd insists education must go on. With the help and support of the National Government, local government units and private sectors, the department is optimistic that it can overcome all these issues in due time. But it won’t accept cash donations.
Some parents appreciate and recognize the effort of the department for the good of the children while others are pessimistic because of its limitation. It might compromise the delivery of quality education. The quality of education in the country has declined over the years based on poor results and performance of students on standardized tests because of several issues like lack of facilities among others.
Quality education
For some, quality education is no big deal as long as students have something to work at home on rather than spend time in idleness.
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