Love and affection are the keys to survive the pandemic

Marie Joy M. Sarmiento, RN

The House Committee on Basic Education and Culture has approved a measure seeking to improve the quality of student teachers and teachers by further enhancing the Teacher Education Council.

The committee approved a substitute bill that would amend Republic Act (RA) 7784 or the law strengthening teacher education in the Philippines by establishing centers for excellence and creating a Teacher Education Council for the purpose.

The bill seeks to institutionalize a scholarship program for student teacher s.

The amendment of RA 7784 can be attributed to the poor results of the competitive examination of Filipino students in international learning assessments.

The author of the bill said the measure would help raise and maintain the necessary level of efficiency and productivity of teachers in delivering quality education.

This measure, which is a step towards raising the quality of education for learners, is necessary to secure their future.

The panel also adopted House Resolution 1103, urgently calling the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to support teachers by providing face masks, sanitizing alcohol, personal protective equipment, and if possible, tablets, laptops, and Internet connection, most especially during the pandemic.

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The author is Teacher II at San Agustin Elementary School, San Agustin, Magalang, Pampanga

“Offer lots of love and affection.”

This is the primary and ultimate advice of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) to survive the Covid-19 pandemic, which, even if we hate to accept it, will linger on for some time even with the availability of a vaccine. In short, children and young students in schools will continue to face risks even if traditional interpersonal classes resume soon.

But until then, the NASP, in its recent post and advisory on its portal, suggests some solutions to go through the coronavirus crisis and threat-laden journey as families around the world are adapting to the evolving changes in daily life caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Most schools, places of public gathering, and nonessential businesses are closed, and parents and other caregivers are faced with helping their families adjust to the new normal.

This includes trying to keep children occupied, feeling safe, and attempting to keep up with schoolwork as best as possible. None of this is easy, but it helps to stay focused on what is possible in order to reinforce a sense of control and to reassure children that they are okay, and that the situation will get better.

Thus, it is very important to remember that children be guided by teachers and parents on how to react to stressful events. Acknowledging some level of concern, without panicking, is appropriate and can result in taking the necessary actions that reduce the risk of illness. Teaching children positive preventive measures, talking with them about their fears, and giving them a sense of some control over their risk of infection can help reduce anxiety.

Personally, as a nurse, I strongly suggest that families monitor the health and nutrition of children, to free them from stress and protect them from risks that only presence and attention at home could do so.

Above all, as NASP stresses, impart lots of love and affection among children as nothing beats these two keys emotionally, psychologically and spiritually.