Module legends
When a heavy downpour occurred in Metro Cebu a few days back, not only clothes and other personal belongings were taken away by the flood but also modules for students. Since the school year opened, modules have been a hot topic. First, because it is something new to the education system; something that hasn’t even proved effective.
Instead of the learner spending time supposedly during what should be “class hours” they are forced to wait for ma and pa to assist them. Because some parents are short-tempered and are already too tired from work, they would rather answer the modules on their own. I don’t know where the learning in that is. The teachers are crying foul too, they are having a hard time juggling synchronized classes for those who can, and following up on the modules that they sent out. Add to that the burden of checking these papers one-by-one and making sure that the student are getting the answers right. But is it even enough?
In some state universities, there are no subsidies for internet and gadgets to those who are considered only lecturers. It is like the government is expecting everyone to cooperate because of the pandemic without looking at the costs incurred by every individual. Of course, we ought to help but we are also struggling to make ends meet because of the damage caused by the pandemic itself.
But should learning stop? My stand has been repeated over and over in the previous columns that if it isn’t ready, then don’t go for it. We don’t want to make our children the guinea pigs in the education landscape and traumatize them forever. This could be a story to tell the next generation, but the mental damage could do damage. Speaking of mental damage, ever heard of students going through anxiety and thinking of suicide? Sounds funny and entitled, but it’s true.
We will never get to understand the thoughts of these children as there is a gap, but we must put into consideration what the mind can do in the middle of a situation that could bring so much stress. If only there was a way to ease things or even to freeze this academic year until everything settles down. Better yet, we allow face-to-face classes with all the safety protocols in place. It may be risky, but not as risky as putting one’s mental health at risk.
The stories of the modules will become legends once this will all be over and we move on. Legends are stories we draw inspiration from to be of more character and to learn. We don’t want to become the joke of the next century just because we failed in the education sector in response to a pandemic. I know there could be some common ground, finding it is the challenge.
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