Amidst the chaos, we have been under strict quarantine for quite a few months now, uncertain of what the future holds for us. Inside our household, we remain passive yet hopeful, as we put our trust on government officials, frontline workers, and our school administration in ensuring us a convenient course of action in taking the next step during this pandemic.
It is evident that the COVID-19 has become a threat to every aspect of society, most especially the educational institutions. It poses the possibility of students being unable to nurture and instigate their educational needs, considering the “new normal” being introduced to us today.
Online classes, being the grand scheme of most schools and universities, calls for online-based learning for students to partake alongside with teachers as it becomes the new medium of education in today’s current situation. This sudden shift into a virtual classroom becomes the pinnacle of the efforts of school officials in preventing the disease from spreading in local school communities. With negative criticisms and difficulties surrounding the idea, it begs the question, “Why should we enroll in online classes?”
It would be pure ignorance to disregard the “digital divide,” in which inequality is present between the rich and the poor, as the rich would have the necessities needed for online classes while the poor would not. This becomes a problem for the school administrators to take head-on as it should be their obligation to ensure that the students are equipped with the materials needed to participate in a virtual classroom such as laptops, tablets, and the like.
Now we must not also take a blind eye and realize the consequences of choosing to abolish the idea of online classes, rather than engage in it. In the economical perspective, the refusal of students in enrolling in online classes would mean no income would generate for these educational institutions, thus they would be forced to release employees such as teachers and other staffs. This then results into bankruptcy for these institutions as well as plunging the employment rate of the country, damaging its economic and social structure.
The quick turn to online classes should not be looked at as an exclusivity, but rather as an opportunity for students to exercise their education. Despite the flurry of complexities, both the students and the school must do their part in conducting a productive environment in which it would benefit both parties. Assurance must be guaranteed to the students, and in return, they give their cooperation and trust to the school administration.
