MORAN ON ACADEMIC FREEZE: MAS PRODUCTIVE PA RIN ANG MGA BATA KUNG NAG-AARAL

Atty. Maria Jela Moran of Know Your Rights Philippines (KYRPH) voiced out her disagreement over the implementation of academic freeze in response to a participant’s question during the Student Government Federation’s (SGF) webinar in collaboration with KYRPH last September 19, 2020, reasoning that its disadvantages outweigh its advantages.

“Personally, I don't agree na magkaroon ng academic freeze, kasi mas marami ang disadvantages nun, imagine yung mga bata, anong gagawin nila sa bahay nila, mas productive parin yung mga bata kung nagaaral at may ginagawa na mga tasks,” Atty. Moran stated.

She also added that there are ways for students who do not have access to a stable internet connection to make online classes work.

“Para sa mga walang internet access, nagagawan siya ng paraan, may kasabihan tayo, kung gusto maraming paraan at kung ayaw, maraming dahilan. Kung ano ang gusto niyo para sa sarili niyo, wag niyong ipilit sa iba,” she added.

The webinar’s speaker, Joyen Melca Ilarde-Jimenez added that the calls for academic freeze stem from some students' lack of preparation for the resumption of the academic year, emphasizing on the need for drastic adjustments.

“May malaki talagang adjustment na kailangang gawin tapos hindi pa siguro prepared so siguro dun naggagaling yung idea na magkaroon muna ng academic freeze for now,” she mentioned.

Jimenez also stated that reaching out to students who do not have access to a stable internet connection is “a matter of willpower and innovative mind.”

“It is a matter of willpower and innovative mind para mag-isip ng ibang paraan para mareach din yung mga hindi kaya na magonline,” Jimenez added

Atty. Moran also emphasized how a modular system puts parents who do not know how to read and write at a disadvantage.

“We recognize naman na meron talagang nahiharapan sa sistema ngayon, saka diba merong mga families at kahit mga magulang na hindi nakapag-aral so yun ang mahirap kasi for example sa modular na sistema, what if yung mga magulang hindi rin marunong magbasa at magsulat, so wala sa kanilang tuturo,” she stated.

She also added that this is where the government’s response should come in, highlighting the importance of a systematic implementation.

“Kaya diyan papasok ang tulong ng government, at dapat may systematic way ng pagimplement,” Atty. Moran added.

Last August’s webinar was the first between SGF and KYRPH’s collaboration. The webinar also made history, being the first SGF-sponsored webinar to host 100 participants.