2020 Highlights of Events in Education

By Dr. Rex Casiple

(Part IV)

 

In this time of COVID-19 Pandemic some students and parents who were unable to pay tuition and other school fees appealed to private higher education institutions (PHEIs) for consideration. In line with this, PHEIs were advised not to collect tuition fees during the 30 day quarantine period, to suspend late payment penalties and to allow payment on staggered basis.

On March 17, 2020 to April 13, 2020 enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was imposed in the entire Luzon. ECQ entailed strict implementation of home quarantine, suspension of transport services, regulation of provision of food and essential health services and heightened presence of uniformed personnel to ensure enforcement of quarantine procedures. In other parts of the country outside of Luzon, the local government units suspended classes within its respective jurisdiction provided that measures and arrangements are in place to allow the students to continue fulfilling their requirements.

The COVID-19 pandemic changed how students in schools around the world are educated. It is considered as the catalyst of educational institutions for search of innovative teaching approaches in a short period of time. Innovations were introduced to do away with traditional way of education inside the classroom using other alternative modes, such as, ‘on-line’ learning at home, television broadcasts, and video instructions. These approaches led millions of students into temporary ‘home-schooling’ situations, especially in some of the most affected countries, like China, South Korea, Italy, and Iran. COVID-19 affected the system of education around the world. Skills in decision making, creative problem solving and adaptability to the present situation, among others; and the kind of teaching approach were added to curricular priorities. Higher education institutions (HEIs) in the country continued to exercise their judgment in the deployment of available flexible learning and other alternative modes of delivery in lieu of in-campus learning. Appropriate alternative learning platforms were utilized, such as, electronic and non-electronic learning methods, modules, self-directed learning activities, simulations, case-based scenarios, among others.

The academic calendar year was moved from June to not earlier than August 2020. Classes were conducted online, offline or on blended learning system. Public and private schools implemented flexible learning as an alternative to traditional classroom learning. This includes having their lessons through radio, television or cellular phones as what was applicable in the area where the learning process takes place. For this reason there were changes in the contents of school curriculum, syllabi, lesson planning and scheduling of classes. Various learning delivery options such as but not limited to blended learnings, distance learnings, homeschooling and other modes of delivery were adopted. Also, the conduct of curricular and co-curricular activities that involved gathering of large number of learners, such as science fairs, trade fairs, school sports, campus journalism, festival of talents, job fairs, career orientation, among others were cancelled for the school year, except those activities conducted online.

Teachers have undergone a series of capacity building activities for Flexible Learning (FL) or lessons under the new normal. Teachers were trained to implement the adjustments as well as to prepare the needed facilities and equipment under the new delivery modes. Also, under the new teaching-learning modes, parents play big role in the education of their children at home. Hence in this period of pandemic when the parent’s role is crucial, the school partnership with parents or guardians was strengthened. In some schools there were orientations and capacity building for parents and guardians to prepare them for their new role/responsibilities in the new teaching-learning process. Local government units (LGU) supported in these undertakings through bayanihan spirit especially in the provision of funding and resources. (To be continued)