Education in the new normal

The COVID – 19 pandemic had not only created disruption but ushered in the new normal. Life must go on. Education as a continuing process must continue. Education remains humanity’s lifeline. The lifeline of hope that tomorrow will be better. The pandemic is not reason enough to stop education. The pandemic could not dampen the education sector in materializing the dreams of every child.

Are we ready for the new normal? Categorically, whatever is one’s level of readiness, the new normal is an opportunity. The pandemic is a strong force to improve and make education better. Realistically, there are challenges in the new normal. The quality of education in the new normal depends on how stakeholders of education address the challenges.

First and foremost, the challenge for those in education to face the tremendous changes. The most noticeable change is the emergence of alternative ways of teaching and learning. The new normal in education propels online teaching with either asynchronous or synchronous online classes, blended learning or limited face to face learning.

The adoption of new ways and models of teaching and learning in the new normal are coupled with challenges. Teachers and learners are plagued with constraints in terms of either online or offline resources and school readiness. Most learners and some teachers have poor online resources for online learning such as internet access, issues on gadgets and devices not discounting ICT skills to navigate the web. Problems on offline resources are availability of materials and learners’ readiness. In areas where limited face to face instruction is proposed or carried out the issues of classroom size for social distancing or class scheduling and resources in maintaining sanitation for health and safety compliance remains high. Nevertheless, there is one important challenge with the adoption of new learning ways: stakeholders’ involvement. The challenge for parents’ readiness and resources considering economic issues confronting families this pandemic could not be disregarded.

The challenges are too big but there are simple solutions. The most important solution is the commitment of teachers to make education continue in the new normal. Participation and support from education stakeholders are improving. Teachers and parents remain realistic and innovative in making use of available resources.

Education in the new normal is a game changer. Stakeholders are pitching in and collectively taking active roles in playing the game. Education in the new normal is a continuing effort to make every child a champion.( Contributed article)