DAPAT umanong payagan na magkaroon ng face-to-face classes sa mga lugar na wala namang kaso ng coronavirus disease 2019.
Ayon kay Davao Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez hindi lahat ng kayang gawin sa Metro Manila at mga highly-urbanized area ay maaaring gawin sa iba pang bahagi ng bansa.
“The online and broadcast materials proposed by DepEd may be helpful, but these are not easily available for many teachers, students, and families,” ani Alvarez, dating Speaker.
Inanunsyo ng Department of Education na walang magaganap na face-to-face classes hanggang wala pang bakuna laban sa COVID-19.
“Yes, some areas must adopt a distance learning program given the risk of face-to-face classes. Yes, we have to continue shifting to the digital age as a necessity. However, we have to balance these aspirations with on the ground realities. Some areas are not considered high risk when it comes to the spread of COVID-19. Also, some areas lack digital gadgets and/or have limited capacity, on the part of end users, to utilize modern learning tools,” saad ni Alvarez.
Hindi rin umano lahat ng magulang ay may kakayanan na bumili ng laptop, talet at iba pang gadgets na kailangan upang makapag-aral ang kanilang mga anak at hindi rin lahat ay mayroong internet connection.
“There are Filipino families who do not even have radios or televisions at home. This is the reality we cannot ignore.”
Ang paglipat umano sa digital age ay nangangailangan ng sapat na panahon para magawa at sa sitwasyon ng Pilipinas ay hindi maaaring gawin ng biglaan.
“Sadly, many of our schools, our teachers, and our students in the peripheries have not even seen, or held, digital gadgets nor do they have much experience with the internet.”
“And the policies we adopt now will be the decisive factor as to whether or not we can cushion the negative impact of the crisis and, later on, bounce back better and stronger. A one size fits all prescription, indifferent to the unique context and situation in various areas of our archipelago, will be a hindrance to this objective.”