The CoVid-19 pandemic ushered in an unprecedented threat to global education. Learning, an essential tool for societal advancement, has seen better days for nearly 1.6 billion students in all continents, according to UN reports. Throughout history, education played a central role in the lives of individuals. People wonder nowadays if schooling remains a citadel of progress.

Education serves many purposes: gain new skillsets, find good jobs and lead a respectable life. But the academic atmosphere today is filled with an air of doubt. What can we do right now? What are the best things that we can do this time while this pandemic is spreading? Can our education system continue to serve its ideals?

As I thread this new path of learning, I imagine how my fellow Josephians cope with this new normal. While browsing through Facebook and Twitter, I discovered many of their stories.

Nathaniel De Leon, a second-year education student, said that SJCBI teachers assist their students in their academics no matter how challenging the situation is. 

“Blended Learning is advantageous and beneficial, especially to us, students, who still want to learn despite the pandemic. As a student who lacks financially and has a poor internet connection at home, I need to make some adjustments, just like going outside every hour to check for newly posted activities or an ongoing online class. I’d like to give a big shout-out to teachers who go the extra mile to help students in their modules,” he said. 

Judy Anne Claro Dagdagan, a first-year criminology student, shared her woes in shelling out extra cash just to be able to buy internet load and her battle to keep up with her online classes.

“Minsan wala talaga akong load. Hinihiram ko n lang yung phone ni ate para makita mga posts sa page. Kung walang wala na po talaga akong load, umuutang na lang po ako para makita ko lang ang mga lessons. Naghahanap ako ng pwedeng pag-applyan ng scholarship para makatulong sa financial problem ko,” she explained.

John Richard Alonzo, a second-year education student, explained that learning is not just about self-studying. One must also engage with others to stir an exchange of ideas. 

“I am not always updated when the topics are sent online due to insufficient internet data. Also, some of our topics are not familiar. But, of course, discussions are to be done yet. Modular learning is not that as easy as we think, to say that Mr. Google can answer everything is wrong. But as a student, I’m finding ways to learn. I ask my friends, and we discuss,” he said.

Mark Anthony Mabini, a second-year IT student, opened up his difficulty in juggling his studies and work at the same time. 

“Mas mahirap ngayon mag-aral gamit ang modular learning lalo na para sa akin na may trabaho. Kung dati makikinig lang sa titser para maintindihan mo ang mga lessons, ngayon kailangan mo mag-laan ng mas mahabang oras para umupo o di kaya ay tumutok sa cellphone o computer para may matutunan ka,” he confessed.

Ronie Sagario, a second-year education student, also said that students need to practice time management and develop ways to be more productive and motivated in learning.

“As the old maxim says, when you are willing to replace mundane excuses with hard work and your laziness with determination, nothing can prevent you from succeeding. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, all stakeholders in the education sector, including our parents, have to adjust and embrace the new way of learning. As I face the blended learning, time management is vital, most especially because studying at home is far different from studying in school,” he stated.

Moved by their stories, I realized that we differ in our unwanted situations but one in our goals. However, SJCBI extends its compassion. Our mentors provide a lot of considerations to help us be comfortable with the new learning method. They propels us to overcome this learning crisis and curve its fallout.

As Arthur Ashe once said, “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” We must acknowledge the fact that every morning is a new start. If we are dedicated enough, we will achieve our goals. 

Let us put our heart and the soul to the cause of education. We should seek knowledge through hard work and full devotion. Besides, it is the responsibility of every student to seek knowledge through hard work. No matter how hard the situation, let us fight for it. 

By: John Mark Camacam