Edukalidad, Achieved or Not?

 

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        In December, before year 2020 started, there were clusters of reported pneumonia-like cases in Wuhan, China. The disease was identified as caused by newly discovered Corona virus which is now known as the COVID-19. The virus started to spread around China, and soon affected the rest of the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) then declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Unfortunately, the virus affects all ages - making adults, children, and people with underlying conditions the most vulnerable. The pandemic also affected many sectors of the society - including the education sector.

        No one was prepared to recognize education at scale during the COVID-19 crisis. Many people, most significantly students and teachers are struggling to cope up with the situation. In the Philippines, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) issued advisories to guide students and educators in response to the outbreak. Various alterations were made, such as adjustments of the academic calendar, postponement of graduation ceremonies, implementing distance learning and e-learning, and providing a massive quantity of alternative activities to students, expecting them to adapt easily within a short period.

        From the statement of the Department of Education (DepEd), education must continue by setting modifications on certain policies and practices in adapting to the "new normal," saying that they aim to provide "Edukalidad."

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        DepEd addresses challenges in the basic education through application of Learning Continuity Plan. The enactment of LCP signifies continuity of education to learners by means of distance learning as specified modalities are used in the delivery of education. In conclusion, students are required to homeschool - learning through the use of printed module or the internet. These modifications were said to be necessary steps in adapting to the "new normal." But given the fact that we are considered as a third world country, many are complaining and are having a hard time with all these modifications due to some given reasons like having an inadequate internet accessibility, inability to do independent learning, insufficient materials in providing of modules, etc. The execution of the resuming of classes this year obviously has many flaws due to unpreparedness.

        As school year 2020-2021 goes on, many disputes about the current learning process increase. Since using such modalities are still uncertain and teachers are being overworked from handling double amount of paper works than usual. Last August 24, opening of classes was suppose to start, but because some school divisions in the country weren't able to provide enough amount of modules for the students, it was then moved to October.  If we're already lacking supplies even before classes started, what more now that it's on going? Private sectors can, but not everyone is able to do so. One thing more is the crucial amount of  given tasks, activities, but concept notes are deficient and too short. Learners, instead of studying and understanding the given learning material, dwells on finishing tasks on time, making no sense to "Edukalidad." These are just some among other faulty of today's way of learning. Many are languishing due to limited capacity to carry it out. And that is why this movement of the Department of Education is being criticized by many.

Reference/s:

        Scripps Research Institute. (2020, March 17) COVID-19 corona virus epidemic has a natural origin. Daily Science. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/03/200317175442.htm

        World Health Organization. (2020, September 10) Time: WHO's COVID-19 response. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/interactive-timeline

        World Health Organization. (2020, July 9) Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): How is it transmitted? Retrieved from https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/question-and-answers-hub/q-a-detail/q-a-how-is-covid-19-transmitted

        CHED. (2020). CHED COVID-19 ADVISORY NO. 3. Retrieved from https://ched.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/CHED-COVID-2019-Advisory-No.-3.pdf

        DepEd. (2020, May 5). Official Statement of Department Of Education. Retrieved from https://www.deped.gov.ph/2020/05/06/official-statement-2

        Magsambol B. (2020, August 28) Back to school during a pandemic: Issues that need to be solved before 5. Rappler. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/explainers/school-opening-philippines-issues-need-solution-before-october-5-2020