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| Queennie Obedencio, Staff volunteer teacher, in a tutorial session with students |
By Charina H. Enriquez
Linamon, Lanao del Norte - One of the most essential things in society that most affected by the global pandemic caused by the SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19), is the education sector. This COVID-19 disturbed the lives of many learners and students in the Philippines since March 2020. This pandemic has seriously impacted the education system not just in the Philippines but worldwide.
The Philippine Government has not yet allowed the face to face classes since most areas of the country still have high active cases of COVID-19. But the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) believed that the pandemic is not a hindrance to having access to quality education and learning must continue despite the situation. Concerning this, they implemented the “new normal” strategy of education which is “distance learning” where students are not allowed to go to school for face-to-face classes, but they will be given modules to answer in the comfort of their homes. Some of the schools enforced having online classes to reach out to the students in this academic year.
But the problem does not end with this “new normal” education system. Most of the students have no access to internet connection and gadgets for online classes and some students have difficulties understanding the modules given to them. And in response to this call, the Civil Society Organization Forum for Peace (CSO-FP), in partnership with DXRC – Freedom Radio 91.5 FM, Linamon, Lanao del Norte, Department of Education and German Development Cooperation (GIZ), conducted a program to help the poor students to understand the distance learning education using the social media and modular learning processes, specifically in the 8 Barangays of Linamon, Lanao del Norte, namely: Napo, Larapan, Samburon, Magoong, Poblacion, Robocon, Bosque and Purakan.
The program has 8 volunteer teachers assigned in the 8 barangays of Linamon, directly connecting to the poor families and assists at least 5 Elementary students with preference from grades 1-3 for basic elementary education and 5 High school students with preference from grades 8-10 which is basic for a college education. The volunteers will directly be engaged to the poor families and extends help to poor students, and still practicing the health protocols given by the government. This project aims to aid the large difficulty faced by our education system due to the present pandemic COVID-19. As of the call of President Duterte in the new normal education system that “Together, let us work to achieve a more informed and enlightened, inspired citizenry, starting with our children,” he said. The pandemic also helps us realize to strive harder and make advance strategies to have a better education amidst of this trying times.