Insights on In-Person Classes

by: Jhoanna Marie T. Teru ( June 2020 )

Recently, the Department of Education has mandated the pilot implementation of limited face-to-face classes in 100 public schools. With this, it can be said that the state of the country—particularly the sector of education—is gradually improving, and the calls for Ligtas na Balik Eskwela are already being heard. Even so, going back to the face-to-face mode of learning cannot ensure the full protection of the welfare of students. Though the reopening of in-person classes would bring more comfort for the student’ in achieving an effective learning experience, there are still risks as much as there are benefits to it.

Reopening the classrooms would be opening more opportunities for the students to go back to normal, where they can be more focused and engaged learn in a conducive environment with their classmates and peers.

With classes being held on-site, teachers will also be able to throroughly give attention to their students, monitoring not only their academic progress, but also their overall wellbeing, since being limited to the digital setup of learning hinders them from being able to perform to the best of their abilities.

Issues regarding technology, such as internet connection problems, power outages, concerns device, and the like will also be lessened, since the face-to-face setup does not require the students to be constantly online.

Aside from these positive points, reopening the classrooms for use also poses harms for students. Given that the pandemic is still a widespread public health concern, going back to face-to-face classes can not only compromise the students’ safety, but those of the school personnel, as well.

It can also be said that after consecutive two years of being enrolled in the online distance learning method and getting used to the digital learning setup, not all students are prepared for the opening of face-to-face classes.

Related to the preparedness of students for the possible opening of in-person learning, majority of the students in the elementary levels are still unvaccinated, considering that the emergency use authorization of the vaccination was only issued for minors between the age of 12 to 17 years old.

Given such advantages and disadvantages, it would a necessary measure for the government and schools to weigh out the various possibilities before oce again allowing in-person classes to ensure the productive learning of students and safety of every invidual involved in the reopening of face-to-face classes, as well.