Covid-19 Pandemic: A turning point for teachers, students and parents

John Louie L. Balingit

We all know that change is inevitable. We expect change to happen but we don’t really feel like experiencing them. We never thought of this kind of change which is called “new normal” brought by the Covid-19.

No one is exempted in this virus. We are all anxious in this time of pandemic and we tend to be more cautious of our health. Covid-19 has impacts not only to our health but also to our socio economic status and education.

Due to pandemic, others thought that education nowadays is impossible. Computers and internet access are some of the main source of information and communication. Some learners are attending online classes to continue their education. Trying to deal with the “new normal” side of education is challenging. No face-to-face classes, meeting are conducted online, plans and seminars through the use of social media and other platforms that are new to some teachers. Plus, not all has access to internet.

Moreover, monitoring academic progress of our learners is now a conjoined role of the parent and the teacher. Teachers are the ones who make the modules, activity sheets and quizzes while parents will guide their children at home. From time to time the teacher will monitor and help parents in facilitating learning through online conferences, chat, messaging or call.

Whether you are a teacher, a learner or a parent, one thing is for sure to attain the goal of learning we must accept the challenge of the new normal and adjust our limits. For it depends on how we play our roles individually and as a team, it will greatly affect our new generation of learners and also the future. We may not be perfect but as others say we must keep moving forward, opening new doors for we cannot wait endlessly for change to happen.

We must be the change; we Filipinos are known for being resilient. In these new changes in our lives while we keep pushing ourselves to fulfill our goals, staying healthy and safe is also significant. For who will teach without the teachers? Who will be taught without the learners? Who will guide without the parents and guardians? Our future now, depends on our health. But how would you imagine the future without education? Educators, students and parents we are all in this new normal together.

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The author is Teacher I at Pampanga High School