Preparation of Schools for the New Normal

With school opening finally pushing through last Oct. 5, preparations were made- with dry run of classes done before October 5. After months of working from home, a majority of us had mixed feelings about returning to work. While there are people who are very excited about going back to work, some are a bit hesitant because they have adjusted well with working from home. Others are worried to leave the house thinking they might catch the virus.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a huge challenge to education system. What preparations should schools make and how do they address students’ needs? First, we all must be aware that our schools will not be the same when they open up again, and we will have to create a new normal environment.

Before the opening of classes, preparations were made in schools to ensure safety of the teachers as well as the learners, parents and other stakeholders. The annual Brigada Eskwela was conducted as a preparation for the opening of classes. Posting of signages and tarpaulin about CoVid 19 were done. Provision and distribution of CoVid-19 essentials to teachers were also made. Aside from these preparations, school administrators and teachers also identified the best learning modality the school should adapt depending on the needs and capability of their learners. The teachers conducted survey to learners as to what kind of modality the school should adapt. As a result of the survey, majority of our learners chose the modular printed distance learning. Schools also conducted PTA Meeting to inform the parents and other stakeholders about the learning modality to be used.

The Covid-19 crisis provides an opportunity for the education sector to come together, and share what works. We may have not seen this situation before the crisis, but we are missing a greater opportunity if we do not do this now.