HOW COVID-19 CHANGED THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES

GERMA M. SANTIAGO

The first quarter of 2020 has brought a lot of challenges in the Philippines. Along these difficulties is the emergence of a global concern which is the Covid-19 pandemic which originated in China. The onset of the virus had everyone to keep and be lockdown on their home because of the increasing number of infections spreading across neighboring countries then to the whole world. The pandemic had caused almost everything to buildings, businesses, highways to mention a few, to be closed for the public. The educational sector is not an exemption. Because of the pandemic, all educational institutions in the Philippines had to cease to operate and need to close their doors for months to help stop the spread of the virus. As a result, the students are stuck in their house and taking a break in their education. However, after months of no classes, discussions and schools to go to, the Department of Education (DepEd) had ordered to continue the education of the students despite the ongoing crisis and implement distance learning. Distance learning is a new learning approach which at that time, needed to be adapted by the students who are only educated to traditional face-to-face classes before. With this, the educational system of the Philippines has changed.

The introduction of distance learning in the Philippines proved to be difficult especially for the families that are struggling financially. One type of distance learning are the online classes which are implemented by schools. In order to be qualified in this type of modality, students needed to have at least a mobile phone and internet connection. However, not all students along with their families are able to afford and provide the equipment needed. Because of this, DepEd had presented another type of modality which is the modular learning. Modules were given to the students and they need to read and understand the lesson because at the end of the learning material are the questions which they required to answer for the teachers to know what they have learn. After a year, students are still coping with the sudden change in the learning environment and the educational system of the country. Some students are still struggling with the new normal learning - some find it difficult to understand the lessons while some are bombarded by the amount of school works, they need to pass. Even when the present situation is challenging, education of the students should not be stagnant amid the ongoing pandemic but serve as a motivation for the students to stick to their goals.

-oOoThe author is Teacher III at Iba Elementary School Iba, Hagonoy, Bulacan