Online learning has been a hot topic for the past few months. Schools have been scrambling to make the transition, parents are wondering why tuition fees haven’t gone down and government agencies are still trying to figure out how to make it work in a country where not all students have internet access.

It’s time to hear from the kids themselves—after all, it’s their education that’s on the line. We asked them: Are you ready for the new school year?

Sophia Bonifacio Cruz, 18

First year, Diplomatic Affairs, De La Salle-College of St. Benilde

Are you ready for the new school year? No.

How different is your preparation this time compared to last year? Enrollment and payment of tuition fees are online, unlike last year when you had to go to campus to do it. We won’t be buying that many school supplies, since for now learning is online.

How do you feel about distance learning? It might not entirely give good quality education for all, unlike before.

What are your concerns about it? Not everyone has a stable internet connection or the gadget to help them in their tasks at school. Moreover, practical courses in college require laboratory activities; that will give them a difficult time adjusting to online learning.

What are the challenges you think you’ll face this school year? As of now, our internet connection is slow and four of us in the house will be needing it for work and school.

What do you miss the most about being in school? What I miss about school is the engagement between the teacher and the student during discussions.

Derek Malchus, 19

First year, BS Computer Science, FEU Alabang

Are you ready for the new school year? No.

How different is your preparation this time compared to last year? It has been difficult due to limitations in processing requirements for enrollment.

How do you feel about distance learning? It is a viable alternative to face-to-face learning, but it is difficult for students who are not visual/text-based learners.

What are your concerns about it? It will lessen the student population by a lot due to numerous students relying on technology, which some do not have the privilege to obtain.

What are the challenges you think you’ll face this school year? The need for viable equipment, like computers and a stable internet connection, is a big issue. They aren’t always accessible, especially the stable internet connection.

What do you miss the most about being in school? Aside from the presence of friends and socializing in real life, it’s the overall environment of a school setting—open and bustling.

Isabella Cruz, 16

Grade 11

Are you ready for the new school year? I acknowledge the fact that I’m lucky enough to be able to enroll in a university and have adequate resources during this time. However, I feel like entering a new school at a time like this can be overwhelming for anyone, especially with the air of uncertainty regarding how long this pandemic will last.

How different was your preparation this time compared to last year? Very different. Last school year, I had many things to look forward to besides actually learning, such as school supplies shopping, seeing my friends and after-school plans. This school year, going to class feels like something to pass the time during quarantine, and I have to keep reminding myself that this will affect my future.

How do you feel about distance learning? I don’t think that it’s the right move for the Philippines, considering both the general economic situation and the rising number of COVID-19 cases per day. I’m grateful to have resources during this time, but I really can’t stop thinking about what’s going to happen to those who don’t. I feel like there’s also a general lack in preparation, not only in terms of how the students will get to attend class but in the curriculum, as well.

What are your concerns about it? If people with resources and somewhat conducive home learning environments are already having difficulties, I can’t imagine what will happen to those who don’t. I’ve read stories about parents bartering everyday items so they’ll be able to buy a laptop, tablet or smartphone for their children, or to have money for enrollment. I think that a lot of people may be forgetting how much income and how many jobs have been lost during this pandemic. For many, survival is the foremost priority above education. However, students feel the pressure to enroll either socially, by not wanting to be delayed, or financially, as they need to get their degree quickly so they may help out their families. People are going through all this trouble for education that may not be of the highest quality.

What are the challenges you think you’ll face this school year ?From my experience with online classes last school year, I experienced a shift in my work ethic. During regular classes, I had a set routine and was able to manage my time properly. There were also boundaries between my home life and my school life. With online classes, not only is it hard to learn new lessons, but doing schoolwork felt like a 24-hour shift and I felt guilty being unproductive. I also personally find it hard to adjust to my new school and socialize online because I’m meeting an entirely new set of people.

What do you miss the most about being in school? All the things that made regular classes motivating, such as eating out after school, classroom shenanigans, school events, class competitions, stimulating class discussions and group projects. I think that having a good in-school support system is also important to me because it was nice to constantly know that people are there for me and were going through the same things I was. Now, we’re all either busy or tired most of the time, and it feels unmotivating.

Ethan David Santos-Paris, 17

Grade 12, Hospitality Management, Southville International School Affiliated with Foreign Universities

Are you ready for the new school year? Yes, I’m very ready for the new school year, especially since classes will be online. For me, this makes learning easier since I am spared from the daily commute to and from school.

How different is your preparation this time compared to last year? Preparation compared to last year is a lot easier. Before, I had to get ready with many things such as buying new uniforms, getting the necessary items for school, checking if I have the correct clothes for today’s class, and much more. But for this school year, all I need is a computer or any gadget to go online.

How do you feel about distance learning? Honestly, this makes me more comfortable in class. The sense of peer pressure is lessened by a huge amount. Usually in class, I am given just a certain amount of time to answer a question. Because of that, I tend to not think at all and my mind goes blank.

What are your concerns about it? I am just worried about lab work.

What are the challenges you think you’ll face this school year? The challenges I will face this school year would most probably be Wi-Fi and gadget availability, since that’s the main way to access school. Problems with Wi-Fi connection, or my computer needing repairs.

What do you miss the most about being in school? Honestly, the only thing I miss the most about being in school is being able to physically meet my friends and teachers.

Jaymee Malig, 15

Third year high school, Good Shepherd Christian School

Are you ready for the new school year? No.

How different is your preparation this time compared to last year? More stressful, because we need laptops and Wi-Fi now. It’s very expensive, especially this time when we have a pandemic.

How do you feel about distance learning? Sad.

What are your concerns about it? It’s harder for us to really learn the subjects. Unlike before when we used books, now we use laptops and software and some students can’t even afford those things.

What are the challenges you think you’ll face this school year? Sending and opening emails, learning the subject and doing schoolwork.

What do you miss the most about being in school? Friends, getting certificates, learning, bonding with teachers and other students.

CJ Victoria, 18

First year, BS Psychology, Kalayaan College

Are you ready for the new school year? Yes, I am ready for this school year.

How different is your preparation this time compared to last year? It’s different in a way since everything is done online, which makes it easier and less time consuming. I guess now it’s more relaxed.

How do you feel about distance learning? I personally don’t like distance learning, because I prefer sitting in a classroom where it is interactive and where I get to meet new people.

What are your concerns about it? I guess I will have subjects where we won’t even meet the professor; instead they will just give us a bunch of stuff to do on our own and there will be a lot of self-learning, which I do not prefer. The internet connection, because I have siblings who will also be using the internet for school.

What are the challenges you think you’ll face this school year? Financial strain is one of the challenges this year, considering the pandemic and how it really affects people’s livelihoods.

What do you miss the most about being in school? Meeting new people and just being around friends, eating new and different food, my allowance and walking around campus.

Isaiah Nathan Cruz, 14

Grade 9, The Seed Montessori School

Are you ready for the new school year? Yes, because I’m ready to study again.

How different is your preparation this time compared to last year? Less hassle because we don’t have to buy school supplies.

How do you feel about distance learning? I’m OK with it because the students and teachers will be safe from the virus.

What are your concerns about it? The only concern I have is I will have a hard time focusing, because there are things that can distract me at home.

What are the challenges you think you’ll face this school year? Not being able to accomplish my work immediately.

What do you miss the most about being in school? Seeing my classmates and teachers in person.

 

More next week