Online Distance Learning OR Face-To-Face Classes?

Mommies, are we all good with the opening of the face-to-face classes? After more than two years of online classes, DepEd finally decided to have hybrid classes for the school year 2022-2023.

As for me, this is my reaction, “finally!”. Yes, finally they have decided to let the children go to school once again. Online classes are a safe place for our children, especially during the pandemic. This stops the spread of the virus but now that it is being managed and contained at least we can now let our children enjoy their childhood.

Two years inside the house (with only busy parents and helpers) is not good for the kids. There’s no physical interaction with other kids their age and that makes me worry. I worry for all the kids in this generation. We all know that our kids’ development includes interaction, exploration, and fun. With what happened to the world, they’ve already lost more than two years of developing their social skills. The Philippines had one of the longest school closures in the world due to the pandemic. While some schools have been reopened, the country has been significantly late in the game. It is estimated that around P11 trillion in productivity losses will be incurred due to prolonged school closures.

So, having face-to-face classes is a relief. At least they could start socializing again with their peers. I’m sure most of them miss their friends already. It’s going to be a little aloof at first but I’m pretty sure that they’ll be having so much fun again. Joining activities and games, winning and losing, learning sportsmanship and camaraderie. These are all very important in life, and these are what they’ve been missing.

The biggest aspect of this is when you are physically present in doing school work, you tend to be more knowledgeable than just based purely on the internet, especially in your hands-on activities, such as lab work or arts. And the engagement between the students with their classmates is incomparable.

Traditional ways of learning also enhance the social interaction of each student, making them team players, or having their classmates share experiences and a bond that strengthens their core values and individuality towards themselves and others.

The classroom setting is traditionally known as teacher-centered and requires the student’s passive learning because the teacher usually controls the dynamics of the classroom environment.  After all, this method is already well established and has been refined for centuries.

Schooling is one of the most affected aspects of human life due to the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. There is no denying that the traditional way is also the most sought-after method. For one, it gives them the opportunity to meet up with their friends and engage in physical school activities.

I have an incoming Grade 1 and preparatory children and I’m good with the face-to-face classes. As long as everyone in school will practice the health and safety protocol of the IATF, my kids will be back in the world. Let us teach them to be responsible and mindful of their safety. How about you mommies? What do you think of the face-to-face classes?

Love,

Mommy Nish