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78% of PaScians say no to August 24 class reopening – survey
Seventy-eight percent or 429 out of 550 students opposed the August 24, 2020 opening of schools in a survey conducted by the Supreme Student Government (SSG).
Students concerned that the crisis could be worse by August as there is still no vaccine to prevent the spreading of virus and mass testing has yet to be implemented.
They also worried that the Department of Education (DepEd)’s plan of having just 15-20 students in a room might not be effective at all due to the rowdiness of some students.
Moreover, students argued that if online classes will be implemented, it might not be useful as others have difficulties learning through their screens and added that its impracticality plays a huge factor also.
“Most of us don’t have the materials needed and others also don’t have unlimited access to it,” students indicated in the survey.
Other aspects that they had problems about include their holistic health, financial stability, and transportation.
Meanwhile, the 22% or the other 121 students who settled for the date of class reopening said that our situation could be better that time as long as authorities take the needed steps to discipline people and to decrease COVID-19 cases.
“If students follow the necessary measures to avoid outbreaks and if the classes should be done online, it’s okay to resume classes,” they added.
The SSG conducted the survey, which aims to hear the students’ opinions on DepEd’s alternatives, last May 7 to May 10 and released the full results last May 20.
“We know that it is impossible for some students to afford all the necessary things and resources to actually be able to participate actively when online classes take place,” SSG President Leydie Aaliah Otial said.
She explained that they were eager to have this survey to reach out to the administration and the teachers for them to look into the lives of the students in this pandemic.
“We do not want them to make harsh decisions that could greatly damage our students. We all want students to continue learning without having anyone left behind,” she added.
Likewise, PSDS/OIC-Principal Lovelynn S. Bacera emphasized that there will be no PaScian learners left behind.
“The data that the SSG collected were utilized as part of our crafted Learning Continuity Plan. We need to adapt to the “new normal” despite the different underlying factors and we will do our best to deliver quality education for all amidst this pandemic,” she added.
As for the specific learning modalities and plans for the next school year, Mrs. Bacera said that it will be posted soon.
News by Vlad Dominic Paradela