Feature

Face-to face: A glimpse of normalcy

by John Benedict Arce

August 2, 2022

It's undeniable that COVID-19 has had its fair share of complications in the country's economic sectors over the past two years, which continue to be resolved by the government today. One of these sectors, the educational sector, has experienced a drastic change in educational delivery — resulting in the application of distance learning and blended learning in most educational institutions with the aid of new technologies. Although both students and teachers have been somewhat accustomed to online learning, the Department of Education (DepEd) set its sights on easing back toward the old norm in selected schools.

After almost two years under the constraints of the pandemic, DepEd officially announced the pilot run of limited face-to-face classes for selected schools in low-risk areas on November 15, 2021. Following the pilot run's success, DepEd released Memorandum No. 085 s. 2021, directing all public and private schools to prepare for the expanded phase of the face-to-face classes projected to start in early 2022.

In the words of former DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones, the implementation of expanded face-to-face classes would "mitigate inequalities and unevenness in access to technology, household resources, and student skills for self-learning." Aside from expanded face-to-face, schools also have the option of implementing blended learning, defined by DepEd as "face-to-face with any or a mix of online distance learning, modular distance learning, and TV/Radio-based Instruction."

In the following months, DepEd continued to increase the list of schools that have been qualified to conduct expanded face-to-face classes to start on February 14, 2022. Among the approved schools, the local government had given Parañaque Science High School the green light to proceed with the expansion phase. "These schools have complied with the requirements of the School Safety Assessment Tool (SSAT) and are now in the process of securing concurrence from the LGUs," Deped said.

Fast forward to February 21, 2022 — the opening of expanded face-to-face classes in Parañaque Science High School. A team from The Momentum had covered the entire ceremony through a live stream for ParScians under distance learning and viewers in SDO Parañaque City to mark the momentous occasion.

Before the ceremony, students slowly began to fill the school grounds wearing the designated attire assigned by the school, eagerly anticipating the start of the flag ceremony and the chance to socialize with their peers. With most of the students present, Irene Inventor, a faculty member and advisor of The Momentum, headed the program with her warm opening remarks. "For the past months, we have been bombarded with the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through it all, we remain steadfast in dealing with them," she states as she thanks the school's stakeholders for their efforts. "We are doing the very best we can do, that is, for the benefit of the young Filipino people, our ParSci students."

After the flag-raising ceremony led by respective students and faculty members, the esteemed school head — Ruel Grafil, addressed the attendees on the importance of learning in a school environment. "Batid natin na ang pinakamabisa at epektibong pagkatuto at pagtuturo ay nagaganap sa loob ng classroom," he explained. He continued to discuss the common objective shared between the Philippines and progressive countries in the world during the pandemic — the reopening of schools. A firm belief that schools foster the highest quality of education through the leadership of the Department of Education and key persons behind the school as a united front against the pandemic. "Quality education can never be achieved without the presence of competent teachers and their willingness to teach, and the presence of our motivated students who are willing to learn," he claimed, "these can only happen inside the classroom." He ended his welcoming remarks by stating that the start of the expanded face-to-face classes is an opportunity for students to continue their studies and increase their knowledge.

With the spotlight again passed to Inventor, she reminded the students to utilize past challenges experienced in the pandemic as a guide as they venture into a new chapter in their educational journey. "In our relentless battle against COVID-19, we believe that 2022 will be a year of sustainment of our steps and measures of the year that was," she exclaims as she sends off the attendees to participate in the usual dance exercise led by selected students before ending the program.

As the students fell in line to enter their respective classrooms for their morning subjects, a sense of relief beheld the eyes of the school's personnel. The start of the expanded face-to-face classes only strengthens their hopes that it would finally be the catalyst for a glimpse of the old norm amid the setbacks of the pandemic.