Changes in Education system amid Covid-19

Summary

In Quezon City, public schools like President Corazon Aquino Elementary School face challenges due to the pandemic, with classrooms empty and a shift to distance learning until August. The Department of Education implements various methods, including online, TV, radio, and printed materials, affecting 27 million students. Parents, like Rowena Matsui, a sari-sari store owner, worry about the financial burden and the effectiveness of this new setup. Students and teachers alike must adapt to these changes, with the government leaving the decision to parents and respecting their choices.

Takeaways

• 🏫 President Corazon Aquino Elementary School in Quezon City, which usually has a large student population, is currently experiencing empty classrooms due to the pandemic.
• 📚 Public schools in Metro Manila are closed until August, with no face-to-face classes until safety can be assured for children and teachers.
• 🏡 The Department of Education is implementing distance learning as an alternative to physical classes, affecting 27 million students.
• 🤔 Some parents and students are unsure about the new distance learning setup, while others are trying to be optimistic.
• 💼 Distance learning could mean increased time and financial investment for parents, like Rowena Matsui, who has limited budget and resources.
• 📱 In low-income families, access to technology and the internet is a challenge, potentially hindering effective distance learning.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Aaron, a student, prefers traditional classroom settings, indicating a possible resistance to the shift to online learning.
• 👩‍🏫 Teachers are also affected by the shift, with over 800,000 public school teachers needing to adapt to new teaching methods.
• 🏠 Christian, a fourth-grade student, has tried the government's online platform, DepEd Commons, but is not impressed with the experience.
• 📉 Education officials acknowledge the difficulties of the sudden shift to distance learning but consider indefinite school closure a worse alternative.

Q & A

Which school is mentioned in the transcript?

President Corazon Aquino Elementary School in Quezon City.

Why are the classrooms at the school empty?

The classrooms are empty because the pandemic has kept public schools closed until August.

What is the current situation regarding face-to-face classes in the Philippines due to the pandemic?

There will be no face-to-face classes until the safety of children and teachers can be assured.

What alternative method is the education department implementing for education during the pandemic?

The education department is implementing distance learning as an alternative to physical classes.

How does distance learning deliver lessons to students?

Distance learning delivers lessons through online platforms, television, radio, and printed materials.

How many students are affected by the shift to distance learning?

The shift affects 27 million students from kinder to high school.

What are some of the concerns parents have about distance learning?

Parents are concerned about spending more time and money on their children's education, especially when their budget for internet is limited.

What is the family situation of Rowena Matsui, a sarisari store owner mentioned in the transcript?

Rowena Matsui has two kids who are students at a nearby public high school. They share one cell phone and have a limited budget for internet.

What is the opinion of Aaron, Rowena's son, regarding traditional classroom settings versus distance learning?

Aaron prefers the traditional classroom setting over distance learning.

What is the opinion of Shane Rojas, a stay-at-home mother, on the shift to distance learning?

Shane Rojas is worried about the shift to distance learning but is willing to try it if teachers provide printed learning materials.

What is the experience of Christian, Shane Rojas' son, with DepEd Commons, the government's online platform for educational content?

Christian has tried studying through DepEd Commons but is not impressed with the platform.

How does the education department view the shift to distance learning in comparison to canceling school indefinitely?

The education department believes that canceling school indefinitely or until the virus goes away is worse than the sudden shift to distance learning.

Who is left to decide whether students can cope with distance learning?

The decision of whether students can cope with distance learning is left up to the parents.

How does the shift to distance learning impact public school teachers?

The shift to distance learning impacts over 800,000 public school teachers, who must adapt to the new teaching method.