New Normal Education through the eyes of Filipino learners

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai once said, “One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world.” Her words put emphasis on the power of education, and paint a picture of its importance in society.

This is why the Department of Education (DepEd) and its education stakeholders and partners pushed for learning continuity despite the challenges presented by the ongoing pandemic, resulting in the creation of various alternative learning modalities.

As education goes beyond the four walls of the classroom, it is important to see how these alternative ways of learning are working from the perspective of learners themselves. Students Prince, Marc, Emelaica, and Karlo, who are of different ages and school levels, shared their experiences during the first few weeks of classes — from how they now learn to what keeps them going during this challenging time.

Making the dream of fighting for justice come true

Prince is a grade 6 student at Nomoh Integrated School, Sarangani who is currently undergoing modular learning. While he knows that this set-up takes quite some time to adjust to, he is thankful that he can overcome such challenges in learning through the help of his family and proper research.

“Supportive po ang aking mga magulang sa pag-aaral ko. Kahit na nasa bahay lang sila, ginagabayan nila ako at tinuturuan kung ano ang aking kailangang gawin. Minsan, si kuya naman ang tumutulong sa akin sa modules,” Prince said.

(My parents are supportive of my studies. Even if they’re just at home, they guide me and teach me what I have to do for school. Sometimes, it is my older brother who helps me with my modules.)

At times when Prince has queries on his modules, his mom would take him to a highway near the beach to get a stable reception to research information and download related videos online. They will then watch these materials at home This is only one of the ways Prince’s mom helps him, and one of the many reasons he feels fortunate to still be studying.

With his perseverance and hard work, Price is hopeful that he will be able to achieve his dream of becoming a lawyer in the future, so he can help others achieve the justice that they deserve. This dream is also part of why he believes education should continue amid the pandemic.

“Kailangan talagang ipagpatuloy ang pag-aaral kahit may pandemic upang hindi masayang ang isang taon sa ating buhay at patuloy pa rin tayong matuto kahit nasa bahay lang. Mahalaga ang edukasyon sa ating buhay para magkaroon tayo ng magandang buhay sa hinaharap,” Prince shared.

(We need to continue studying despite the pandemic so an entire year won’t go to waste, and that we continue learning even at home. Education is important in our lives and will help us have a good life in the future.)

Learner of today, engineer of tomorrow

Marc is a grade 6 student at Malagasang II Elementary School, Imus City. He is currently enrolled under the online synchronous learning modality. Although Marc admits that he misses the face-to-face learning set-up, online learning still helps him see his classmates and teachers.

“I am always excited for our online class because of my teachers who are very patient and knowledgeable as they teach us our lessons. I am also happy that I get to see my classmates as we learn new lessons everyday,” Marc said.

Marc also talked about the important role that his family plays in distance learning. Even though his parents are both busy with work, his mom makes it a point to guide him with his lessons and assignments everyday. Marc also has an older brother that he can rely on for help.

Though the school year may sometimes get tough because of New Normal Education, Marc believes that learning should not stop. He hopes to continue studying until everything goes back to normal again.

“Once I finish my studies, I want to become an engineer. Education will be my weapon for this ambition. [I know that this] pandemic will not hinder me from studying. Instead, I will study even harder so that my parents and teachers will be proud of me,” Marc said.

Molding the minds of education’s future frontliners

Fourteen-year-old Emelaica lives by the mountainous side of Sarangani province. She is a grade 8 student from Kisoy Extension School of Datal Anggas Integrated School.

The global pandemic is one of Emelaica’s biggest worries at the moment. However, one thing that helps ease her worries is studying, as she finds it to be fun even if she must do so at home. “I enjoy answering my modules, learning with my friends, and having the guidance of my parents,” she said.

Even though Emelaica’s parents do not know how to read or write, they find hope in the fact that Emelaica is persevering as a student. According to her parents, Emelaica’s perseverance is the reason why they are supportive of learning continuity.

“I want to say thank you to my parents for supporting me with my studies. Even when there is a pandemic, they are the reason why I want to finish my studies,” she shared.

Emelaica admits that the learning situation in far-flung areas is more difficult than in other areas where connectivity is more accessible. This is why she wants to study — so that she can help herself and her family, make her parents proud, and eventually become a teacher to the young children in sitio Kisoy.

Karlo, an 18-year-old learner under the Alternative Learning System (ALS) shares the same dream. Karlo dropped out of school a few years ago. When he and his mom found out about ALS last year, he enrolled under the system because he wanted to catch up with his former classmates, and hopefully become their classmate again.

“Palaging enjoyable ang ALS kasi marami kang natututunan. Gusto ko din yung instructor namin kasi marami siyang nakwekwento tungkol sa mga bagay-bagay at tungkol sa ALS,” he shared.

(ALS is always enjoyable because you learn a lot. I also like our instructor because he shares stories about different things and about ALS.)

Karlo encourages his fellow learners to continue their studies because it can be greatly beneficial, even in these trying times. Once he becomes an ALS passer, he plans to study Education and become a teacher someday.

Despite the challenges that this school year’s new normal poses, children across the country show willingness and excitement in continuing their education. With safety and learning continuity in mind, DepEd, the academic community, parents,and the local government units continue to work together to make sure every child’s right to learning is fulfilled.

This story was first published on the Manila Times’ Campus Press. 

Read also:

• In the face of adversity, all you need is a Yellow Boat of Hope
• Igniting hope in every Filipino child
• Filipino teachers and the passion that makes learning continuity possible