Classroom Setting on the Progressive Expansion of On-Site Classes
Juvelyn L. Zamora
While 2020–2021 will most likely be completed through Modular Distance Learning or blended learning, the DepEd has released the proposed classroom seating arrangement for the expanded limited face-to-face learning. Time is shifting, and learners' education might be significantly affected, but for their safety, the DepEd plans on making classes limited to no more than 20 students per class.
Like the guidelines for social distancing used in public places where people are asked to stand apart by at least 1 meter, the seats in the classrooms should also be at least 1 meter apart. This implies that there will be just 20 seats available in the room for classes equipped with armchairs that will need to be changed to meet this minimum distance requirement. Rooms with tables and chairs might have difficulty fitting 20 sets for the learners due to space requirements. So, it might be possible that only 15 learners will stay in rooms.
In schools, one approach would be to switch to armchairs to maintain a maximum of 20 learners rather than simply 15. But this could also depend on how much money the school must buy new armchairs, especially if all rooms were already set up with tables and chairs. While the plan sounds good, many parents pointed out that students love moving around and playing with other students. Unless there's strict protocols implemented inside the classroom, students are forced to stay in their seats throughout the day. This is a good proposal; however, it is impractical in the absence of money. With the current student-teacher ratio, the government would have to treble the number of classrooms and teachers to meet the reduced student-teacher ratio. We should also consider that students would-be, since they would still be running about playing with one another, rendering the whole activity unless contact between students is prohibited.
Nowadays, most public schools have 30–60 students per section, and even before COVID, facilities weren't enough to accommodate everyone. Some schools even hold classes in their covered courts. In the meantime, school stakeholders should collaborate to address all these issues.
The author
--oOo-
is Teacher I at Taysay Elementary School, Bataraza District Division of Palawan, MIMAROPA Region
l, Schools