COVID-19 pandemic has affected the education sector in the Philippines. From conventional “face-to-face” learning, the Department of Education (DepEd) shifted to “blended learning,” pursuing education at home. Thus, parents and guardians are highly involved in developing their children’s educational path.
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Parents are happy to have spend more time now with their children. But some parents get too tied up sitting beside their children during the online classes or blended module learning process.
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One critical matter that parents have shared to this writer is that they have noticed that some lessons being taught are just beyond the comprehension of their kids. Well, this is talking in general perspective, of course. A mother shared that algebra and geometry are not yet meant for her children who are in Grades 7 and 8.
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The DepEd really needs to check the modules. An uncle, who teaches her niece, said he finds most of the subjects too far beyond her capacity. He added that it takes a lot of sacrifice for parents to teach their children especially when they are also busy earning a living as employees or entrepreneurs.
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Another parent also shared that her kids, Grades 7 and 8, are given lessons on the geographical features of other countries. Yes, Google is the answer but he said this is merely copying and pasting the answer.
“Why not learn about the islands in the Philippines instead?” he added.
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Floods brought by Typhoon ‘Ulysses’
I was so sad seeing the effects of Typhoon “Ulysses” which caused flooding in Marikina City. It was way more serious than the flooding during the onslaught of Typoon “Ondoy” a decade back. I felt pain seeing my second home before being devastated by the typhoon.
Many may be wondering why flooding in Marikina City could not be resolved at all. The city is the lowest level in Metro Manila. All the excess floodwaters flow down the city, also hitting Montalban and even Pasig.
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When I was working for former MMDA chairman and then Marikina City Mayor Bayani Fernando, I lived in Provident Village, a middle class subdivision just beside the Marikina River separated by a high concrete wall. Whenever the waters were expected to rise, I immediately packed my bag and stay a night or two at a hotel or motel.
Actress Cristine Reyes also lived in the village where her house was not spared by “Ondoy.”
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During floods, the Marikina River is the gauge of how serious the flooding is in the city and in neighboring places. There is the Marcos Highway being watched at as this connects to Cainta and Taytay and Marikina and Montalban, and Antipolo.
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This column greets Jennylind Cordero, Tony Agustin, Jonathan Lobaton, Francis Velez, George Jardiolin, JB Ongsingco, Toto Tarrosa, Monet Kilayko, Mike Villacorta, Flozard Andrew Gedalanga, Stephen Salgado, and Richard Oquendo./WDJ