Online Readiness
Timothy Duane B. Gonzalez
There was this one time where I had experienced the gravity of such context regarding online schooling. It was a Sunday and I had to leave and head to the office because there was this report that we had to submit. At the time we were still under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). Along the road towards my office there was this checkpoint that I had to stop at. I was very nervous at the time because regardless of my business at the office, it would not deny the fact that it was a Sunday and that all government offices should be closed at the time. Still, I took my chances. Upon arriving at the Checkpoint I was approached by this serviceman. I was uncertain of what faction he belonged to but was certain of one thing; he was a person of authority. Upon approaching my vehicle I nervously presented my office ID and my Quarantine pass in the hopes of getting through the checkpoint without any problem. Only to be shocked by a conversation I never expected to have. As he saw my ID working for the Department of Education he boldly asked me “Sir, you work for DEPED, right?” to which I answered yes and asked if there were any problem. All the while I was worried he would question me why I was heading to the office when it was a Sunday.
The following conversation that took place surprised me a little bit. The serviceman began to ask me how the classes would push through during such times. To which I tried to reply to the best of my abilities the plans of the department to continue schooling under programs such as online schooling.
To which he replied to me as I felt his pain of the uncertain. He asked me and said what about those families without capabilities to do online schooling. He even made himself an example telling me that he has 2 children and would both undergo online schooling at the same time. He even told me that he had been losing sleep thinking about how he would purchase 2 laptops for his 2 children since they would be schooling at the same time and could not possibly share a laptop. This sentiment struck me hard. Maybe it was the thought of one stranger venting out and seeking comfort from another stranger. It takes so much for a person to do that to a total complete stranger. But that serviceman did. And because of that, all I had for him was nothing but respect.
He also made me realize that the Philippines is truly not yet ready for online schooling and that as part of the Department of Education we should at the very least do our part and find a more viable solution to this problem of education during these tough time.
We should keep in mind that not all households have access to electricity and internet connectivity, let alone have access to gadgets such as computers, laptops and the likes.
--oOo-
The author is Administrative Assistant
II at Schools Division Office of Pampanga