In-person classes

Great intent with the wrong timing, this is how I see the mandate of the Education Department to bring back in-person classes by November. This would mean children would have to get up early, wear their uniforms, and travel just to be in school. The journey is two-way, like a normal child would ever have. However, today's time isn't fit for that ideal anymore.

Although I understand the plight of the parents who want their children to experience actual school, there is also too much going on outside. For one, the prices of basic goods are increasing. Fuel, which is most needed to move from one place to another, has prices that are soaring high. It is so costly to move these days, let alone find food for three meals in a day.

If you are one of the privileged few who is not bothered by oil prices, then maybe the problem of the transport sector would convince you otherwise. There are more passengers and commuters than drivers or motorists. This is because the government removed the old jeepneys. Others may have been replaced, but not all proceeded with the upgrade. There are even drivers who voluntarily stopped operations because of the oil price hike.

If you are not a commuter, you wouldn't understand this plight but I'm sure the traffic jams will be such a hassle. Because more people are moving around, more cars are in the streets. This means they would also compete for space in the main thoroughfares. For a person like me who lives in Consolacion, travelling to Cebu City would take an hour or two. That's time I cannot take back which I could have spent sleeping or studying.

The intent to slowly go back to the way we used to live our lives is a valid reason for companies and schools to bring back the people in the flesh. However, I feel like we cannot impose this on everybody. That is why I am very amenable to hybrid learning because it gives the students an option to leave their homes or not. Using technology for teaching is also the way to go this time. All submissions will be done online and the mode of making them is still through a computer.

As both a student and a teacher, I have learned to love the flaws and beauty of the online learning platforms. It has made me practice what other universities outside the country are doing. Yet, it is understandable that this is not applicable to basic education. There must be a way to integrate new methods of teaching in traditional schools.

Lastly, we must not forget that the virus is still around. We may not feel critical effects from it anymore but we don't want to be part of the statistics. Therefore, extra caution must still be exercised when gathered in one single room. I know the masks aren't a point for debate but maybe we can encourage everyone to get boosted.