SOAR ABOVE CHALLENGES: WE CAN EDUCATE AMID PANDEMIC

Juvelyn L. Esteban, EdD

Due to the Pandemic, the sudden shift in the world made the prior plans for education curved to suit the context of the new set up. Since vaccines will long be released and since schools, specifically public schools, were affected by this situation that will last for an indefinite time, the department ensures development of new plans for learning to take place.

To be more specific, the recent pandemic has made the Department of Education (DepEd, 2020) to release some modifications on the ways education will look like for the coming school year. However, DepEd still looks at it as something that is flexible because it does not want teachers and students to be in jeopardizing situations. That is why, the Alternative Learning Modalities are set.

DepEd is currently doing its best to cater the needs of the pupils, students, teachers, and parents in facing the new set up. The Learning Modalities are intended to address the occurring problems on having no internet connection or gadgets as these vary depending on the child’s needs, wants, and situation. Modules, Radio Broadcast, TV Broadcast, Online Teaching are among the ways the department sees as exemplary tools to recalibrate the old paths we knew before the Pandemic.

It is the utmost goal of the department to facilitate the safe return of the educators and students to schools without having to worry about the COVID-19. It is promised by the department that it will do everything to carry on so that basic education will still be available despite the crisis. It also likewise expected to have grueling transition and so it is a must to help the stakeholders understand the situation while taking their part.

Due to these claims, it could be posited that teachers should be equipped with technological skills and other methodologies, such as material making, video making, radio and TV broadcasting, in teaching that could help them in providing learning amid the pandemic. So, digital technologies and skills intended to address the needs of the current situation are a must in this kind of system and no one is exempted from learning this set up in our pedagogy.

Since the new normal will soon rise as our new set up in educating learners, teachers and administrators need to establish extra commitment and passion in teaching as we are part of the educational reform of providing quality education for the Filipino learners amid this health crisis. Let us soar above the challenges in education.

--oOo-

The author is Principal III at Tibag High School, Tarlac City