Education and Classes Opening for School Year 2020-2021 in the Philippines Despite of the Pandemic Outbreaks

They say education is the key to success. Many believe in this thought. Does education the key to success?

Generally speaking, education is the preparation for future independent life that requires experience and practice. Although the primary aim of getting an education is to get a degree in college, which helps you have a better job for the future to come.

Many companies over the world, especially in the Philippines, require at least a four years degree in college or related to be able to get a job.

Having educated gives you chances and many opportunities to explore yourself in a different thing and a way to expose yourself to another world of reality and learn from it.

President Rodrigo Duterte first announced community quarantine over the Metro on March 12, 2020. But his decision was not settled. On March 14, 2020, he officially announced the first-class suspension over the Metro, including rural areas and other urban cities in the Luzon area.

On April 21, 2020, DepED has been conducting consultations with the executive committee, management, civil society, and education experts to provide a relevant answer to the issue of opening classes for the school year 2020-2021.

On the other hand, experts can say yes with the fact education cannot be hindered just because of the virus. Hindering classes to open for the school year 2020-2021 can lead Philippines' Education far behind in international standards.

Most of the parents can say no because no vaccine yet. Implementing classes for the school year 2020-2021 is a risk, because of the continuously growing number of cases of Corona Virus.

However, a week ago, August 6, 2020, DepEd secretary announced that furthering classes to open for the school year 2020-2021 would be push through despite the pandemic case.

What are the first things that need to consider in opening classes for the school year 2020-2021, if that's the case?

If the case of opening classes through e-learning would be implemented and push, will all parents agree?

I don't think so. Because of the pandemic, the economic crisis all over has increased. Parents belongs to low-income can't afford e-learning. Many people in the community lost their job. Some of the workers forced to leave the job due to reduced manpower. Most companies decreases their sales.

Some students enrolled in a college degree at private school, or university, not all of them belong to a rich family. Probably, 40% of the students can't enroll looking at the economic status in the countries. Maybe countries belong to the first and second world countries like China, the USA, and Europe can push opening their classes for this school year. However, the Philippines has a lot of things to consider.

Therefore, considering all the possibilities and reasons, opening classes for the school year 2020-2021 is not impossible if the government can provide all the basic needs of the students like laptops or tablets. Second, if they push it, only those can afford possibly enrolled for this school year. Lastly, most of the parents will not agree, though.