Go seeks careful shift to flexible learning
SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go urged the education sector to carefully consider the use of online learning platforms to ensure that learners will not be burdened by the transition.
“Schools and education officials must guide students in order for them to adjust to new modes of learning,” Go said.
“Sig ur ad uh inn at inn ala hatng mg ae study ante ay ma bi big yanng pant ayn a op or tun id ads aila limng ating learning continuity plan in all levels of education (Let’s ensure that all students will be given fair opportunity under our learning continuity plan in all levels of education) ,” he added.
During a Senate hearing of the Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education, Go noted the consequences of the pandemic on education and expressed the need to look not only in the government’s capability to adjust to these challenges but also the students’ capability to respond to the new norm of education – the online platform.
“Despite the health crisis, our aim is to ease the burden for our students and also their families,” he said.
While the government offers free education in state colleges and vocational schools, Go lamented that many students face issues other than tuition that are intensified further due to the adverse socio-economic impact of the ongoing pandemic.
“Mar a mi par ins a a ting mg a mag-aaral ang mahihirap at naghahanap ng paraan para maitawid ang kanilang mga nagugu tom na si km ur ahab ang nag-aaral. Ano pa ngayong may pan de my ana? I big sabih in, sitwasyonngayon (Most students are poor and they’re finding ways on how to feed themselves while they’re studying. Their situation now is more difficult because of the pandemic),” he said.
Go urged concerned agencies to take these issues in consideration while trying to ensure that education continues despite the health crisis. “This is so that we can continue to improve our education system and bridge the gaps of learning without giving more stress mentally, emotionally and financially,” he said.
The senator reiterated his stand that no face-to-face traditional classes should be conducted while there is still no vaccine for Covid-19.
“Hu wag po na tin big lain at pil it in.Kap ag binig lana tinang pagb ali k san or malng kl ase, bu hay nat in.Kap ag pi nil it nat inang makabagong paraan ng online learning, duduguin rin ang estudyante kung hindi sila makapagadjust ng maayos ( Let’s not rush. If we bring normal classes, we will be risking the lives of the children. If we also compel the use of the modern method of online learning, the students will also bleed if they cannot adjust properly),” he added.
Go repeated his advice to provide flexible modes of learning with due consideration to health and safety protocols that must be followed. “Kaya palagikopong paalala sa DepEd, CHED, at iba pang ahensyasa sektor ng edukasyon: Pagaralan po natin ng ma bu ti. Import an te namakapag-aralpa rin ang mga bata, hindimasayangang isang taon, pero sa para anna hind is ila mapipilitangma- expose sa sakit ( This is the reason why I keep on reminding the DepEd, CHED and other agencies in the education sector: Let’s study carefully. It is important that the children can study, not a year is wasted, but not in a way that they’ll be exposed to the disease),” he said.