The adverse impact of the pandemic across all sectors continues to worsen by the day. Among the affected is the education of countless children worldwide.
“From school closures, to isolation, to a persistent sense of fear and anxiety, the effects of this pandemic are impacting childhoods worldwide,” Unicef Executive Director Henrietta Fore said. “We need to come together and explore every avenue to keep children learning and help them through this difficult time.”
Despite the difficult situation, Filipino learners like Haley and Claire still want to continue their education as they brave the changing world that grapples with the effects of Covid-19.
A child’s perspective
For Haley, a 10-year-old student from Doña Juana Actub Lluch Memorial Central School, Iligan City, education is something to be treasured.
“Sabi ng aking mga magulang, edukasyon ang tanging kayamanan na maiiwan sa amin na walang sino mang makakapagnakaw at hindi kaya bilhin ng kahit anong salapi,” she said. Like national hero Jose Rizal, Haley believes that today’s children are the hope of the country.
Meanwhile, Claire, an incoming Grade 12 student of Granada-NHS Ballesteros Extension, Iloilo City, is passionate about education and how it can change lives. She said that for every day that a child spends without learning is an opportunity missed to know more about the world.
“Education means learning good values, creating good character, and learning how to respect everyone’s differences,” Claire said. “Education is very important not only to me, but to every student who is living for their dreams—that someday they will free themselves from poverty.”
New normal in education
Even if Haley and Claire want to pursue education, they are aware of the reality of the new school setup and the challenges it presents.
“Masaya ako para sa paparating na school year, pero dapat mag-ingat parin tayong lahat dahil may virus parin tayo na kailangan talunin,”Haley said. “Dapat gawin natin ang social distancing, magsuot ng mask kung lalabas ng bahay, at maghugas ng kamay for 20 seconds.”
Haley will be using modular distance learning for the upcoming year, allowing her to study in the safety of her home.
With face-to-face learning prohibited due to the pandemic, the Department of Education (DepEd) is preparing to implement different learning delivery modalities, including modular, TV, radio, and online, depending on the situation of the locality and the availability of resources.
“Here on our island, modular learning lang talaga ang sa tingin ko ay pabor sa lahat ng mag-aaral, that’s why we prefer that learning modality,” Claire shared.
Hopes and prayers
Haley and Claire have concerns regarding the safety of everyone. They know that a lot of changes and preparations have to be done for the upcoming school year, which was rescheduled from August 24 to October 5. But both students remain hopeful.
Ultimately, Haley expressed gratitude toward her teachers and the frontliners who are working tirelessly to fight the pandemic. Meanwhile, Claire said she constantly prays for everyone’s recovery from the disease, and for education to push through this year.
The two young girls recognize the power of education. It is because of learners like them that DepEd perseveres in finding ways to deliver safe, quality basic education without compromising the health of the academic community.
Haley and Claire serve as proof that children truly are the hope of the future, and that a nation united will help them make their dreams for the future a reality.