Padayon Edukasyon’, is the division’s battlecry to rally all stakeholders to support its efforts to continue education in the face of COVID-19.
Writer: IAN ARNOLD M. ARNAEZ, Project Development Officer II and designated Public Information Officer of the Schools Division of Negros Occidental (DepEd Negros Occidental)
“We will not allow COVID-19 to destroy our children’s education and future.” These were the words of Department of Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis-Briones in her message during the virtual program for the opening of the school year 2020-2021 on Oct. 5, amidst calls from various sectors for an “academic freeze” citing several issues faced by both learners and teachers making the holding of classes difficult.
One month has passed since then, yet the same issue and more are still hurled at the education department. On several occasions, I have answered questions regarding the continuity of education from various local broadcast media outfits, and I am certain I have satisfied their thirst for an explanation. But for the sake of those who still have question marks in their heads, may this piece enlighten them and put periods in their heads instead.
Foremost, education is a birthright of every child that is enshrined in both the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child and the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Considering that there is a pandemic, it seems, at first, that such right may be dispensed in favor of their rights to survival, health and safety.
All human rights, however, are of equal footing. No one right is more important than the other. Thus, DepEd changed its game plan to adhere to the President’s declaration that no “face-to-face” classes would be allowed until a vaccine is available.
In resposse, the department created its Learning Continuity Plan dubbed as “Handang Isip, Handa Bukas”,which outlined means by which education would be delivered without risking the health and safety of the children and the personnel. DepEd Negros Occidental’s version of which was branded as “Padayon Edukasyon”, the division’s battlecry to rally all stakeholders to support its efforts to continue education in the face of COVID-19.
Second, the provision of education is DepEd’s mandate. Whatever the circumstance, it is duty-bound to make it available to all learners. Critics say that because of the requirements for the “new normal” in education, there are children, especially those from low-income families, who would be left behind if classes push through. True enough, as of this time, not all learners enrolled last year are enrolled this year.
For the Division of Negros Occidental, the turnout is 5 percent short of last year’s enrollment. However, it is not the end of everything. Enrollment is still ongoing until December and beyond.
The point is, late enrollees must be able to cope with the missed lessons and tasks already given since the start of the classes. Also, as mentioned already, education now comes in different forms – printed modules, digital modules, TV- and radio-based instructions, online learning, or blended form.
Learners need not suffer the difficulties of the “new normal” because they have a lot of options to choose from. What is important is the determination and interest to study and learn.
Finally, waiting for a COVID-19 vaccine to resume education in whatever form is waiting in vain. Yes, there have been reports regarding the development of the said elixir, and is now in the testing stage. That’s a gleam of hope in this dark period. Nonetheless, the big question is when will its final form be made available for public consumption.
Certainly, nothing is certain in these uncertain times. To wait for such would be to waste time, and wasted time can never be taken back. That means wasted opportunities for the children to learn and develop themselves. We do not want that for our children. Much more, we do not want them to blame us someday that, because of our wrong decisions based on our fears of the unknown, they missed the chance to become the better version of themselves.
Undeniably, education in this time of COVID-19 is a great challenge for everyone, not just for DepEd and the schools, but EVERYONE. Nobody ever thought that this time would ever come. We were all caught unaware. Yet, we continue to strive to survive. And that does not exclude DepEd.
Issues abound, that’s obvious. But in this imperfect world, it is expected. The point is, we have not given up. DepEd has not turned its back on its mandate to give education to the Filipino children whatever the odds. And in facing the challenges, it has opened its eyes to the sad reality that there is a lot more to be done to prepare for this kind of eventuality in the future.
DepEd alone cannot do everything. Thus, everyone is called upon to give his or her share, no matter how small. After all, “it takes a community to raise a child,” says my favourite African proverb.
