EDUCATION: A privilege during these trying times

The COVID-19 crisis has significantly affected both social and economic sectors in the Philippines, one of them being the education sector. It has brought upon us many challenges and difficulties that are likely to have long-term effects on the potential of children. To ensure the safety of the learners and help control the spread of the virus, the Department of Education decided to shift to distance learning for the school year in 2020 to comply with President Duterte’s directive for schools to delay face-to-face classes until a coronavirus vaccine becomes available.

I can say that the quality of education during the pandemic has been compromised. Face-to-face interactions inside the classroom are integral to quality teaching, and the lack of social interactions between students and teachers has taken a toll on them. Our living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms became our classrooms. 

We were left alone to fend for ourselves as to comprehend the whys and hows of Science, to solve for the missing numbers in Math, and grammatically correct our sentences in English. These are only a few minor problems encountered by students like me during this pandemic. I consider myself lucky because I have the needed gadgets for eLearning and can understand our subjects with the occasional help and guidance from my teachers and parents, but this is not the same for everyone.

Students faced financial challenges that put their education in jeopardy, lack of resources and gadgets necessary for eLearning, poor internet connectivity, and other difficulties that may hinder educational opportunities for students, especially those who were already disadvantaged long before the pandemic. Not everyone can afford the necessary tools and technology for online learning; not everyone is blessed with a fulfilling life. Education should be a right, not a privilege.

We must achieve quality education during these difficult times – one that focuses on students' development and welfare. Schooling during the pandemic should ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and learning; under any circumstances. The Department of Education should rethink its approach to quality education during the pandemic if it is efficient and can cater to all the needs of students regardless of their socioeconomic standing. Learning at the expense of our physical and mental well-being is not the quality of education I desire. Quality education should be accessible to all and one that promotes the healthy state of our beings.

Sources: Image by Glenn Hole. Retrieved from https://www.dr-glennhole.org/the-covid-19-pandemic-has-changed-education-forever/