I BUMPED into my youngest son’s teacher in junior high and it was him who told me the opening of classes would be postponed to October, something I didn’t know earlier. It was welcome news because until now our application online for an internet connection with PLDT has not been answered. The application was filed by my wife Edizza.
My son was excited about the application. He had long asked us for a faster internet connection as we prepare for the resumption of classes. That would be expensive, we told him before but this time a faster internet connection is important if we want our sons to learn well during these times of quarantine protocols because of the Covid 19 pandemic. I initially wanted my sons to not go to school until a cure or a vaccine is found against the coronavirus.
A welcome development nowadays is that people with big hearts have come out to help families in need. There are those who are giving cell phones and tablets to children so they can join online classes that most likely will only benefit the moneyed families. Of course there are alternatives other than online and face-to-face classes but poor families really need help, especially the children of parents who are themselves less educated.
And this: I am sure telecommunications firms will be making a killing once classes start online. That is why I could only smile at the help provided by those who are giving children cell phones and tablets for free. What about the internet connection? I still have to hear from telecommunication firms about their contribution to help ease the burden of families as they seek to continue providing their children with education despite the pandemic. Do these firms have a heart?
By the way, one of those who will be making a killing out of people’s misery will surely be the Chinese telecom firm that is linking up with a crony of President Rodrigo Duterte to do business in the Philippines. The firm’s entry is well-timed, sort of. Now they can compete decently with local giants without the President finding ways to shut the operation of these local telecom giants like what he did to ABS-CBN.
But back to our problem. I am sure local telecom firms are now being swamped with online applications for internet connection as the opening of classes nears, the reason why my wife’s online application has not been answered. Are these firms capable of answering the needs of the people in this regard? Or will greed make them pretend to be capable just to make more profits anyway?
This is an interesting question that will soon be answered as the Department of Education (DepEd) pushes through with its plan not to sacrifice children’s education because of the pandemic. We parents are watching intently now. As I said, I still have the option to have my sons quit classes this school year. I may have to exercise that option if the DepEd fumbles in its plans. I’d rather wait until the pandemic is over.