June 10, 2021
Llana Isabel S. Sadie
Caption: E-learning’s Socioeconomic Gap. The Department of Education (DepEd) is offering remote distant learning for all pupils, yet the countries impoverished bear the brunt of the costs. (Infographics/Caption by Llana Isabel Sadie)
It's been a year since the coronavirus found its way to the Philippines, but to most, if not everyone, it's a 1st birthday that no one considers happy. The outbreak forced schools across the nation to close, however, not all students start on an equal playing field when classes transition to online education.
As the country’s education system struggles to adjust to the unexpected shift to online distance learning due to the pandemic, the Department of Education (DepEd) has not only postponed the start of the school year but has also encouraged independent learning with the help of self-learning modules for students to use at home.
The Philippines has introduced distance learning programs that emphasize the underlying inequalities in the different social classes as policies such as “no vaccination, no classes” are being put in place.
Education inequality has widened significantly, with those in high-income families receiving quality education and those in low-income ones getting subpar care. Experts warn this inequality gap is worsening due to the closures of schools globally. A problem is getting worse for those who are in a lower socioeconomic class.
With varying problems from unstable internet connections and lack of resources to unexpected natural disasters and declining mental health, the transition from face-to-face classes to remote learning has evidently proved to be rough for students, parents, and even educators.
Many schools have implemented distant learning programs and have taught courses using video call platforms in order to continue lessons as usual. The shift to remote guidance was everything but seamless, as you expected. Across the country, educators strive to adapt their curricula to digital platforms and to ensure that children's requirements are satisfied. Students are required to participate from home in their daily lessons; comprehensive online training requires laptop or tablet access, solid Wi-Fi connectivity, and a safe, peaceful study environment.
Education is a Right, Not a Privilege
Most learners in public schools come from less fortunate homes and during this era of transition, the sudden shift to remote online learning proves to be difficult for many of them. Some regional school administrators requested that DepEd provide mental health programs with the learning modules.
In any given system, children will benefit from improved access to additional resources. These will aid in moving a few students closer to what appears to be a "typical" high-quality education.
It is inevitable that achievement gaps between rich and poor students will grow, although, as for the case of families with more disposable income to spare, online learning is still tough.
According to an article on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) website, the country calls on tech companies to make learning apps available and accessible as Covid-19 amplifies the digital divide.
The critical role of digital technology demands that innovations on its use should be shared, in keeping with our commitment to sustainable development and inclusivity, and to leave no one behind.
“We firmly believe that we can work together so that digital technology can be a catalyst towards strengthening the ties within and among our nations, and finally bring us towards recovery, resiliency, and sustainability to realize not just a ‘new’ but a ‘better’ normal for all,” said National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon.
She also underscored the need to develop the necessary human capital that can build on digital technology. “Let us increase the pool of thinkers, scientists, and, especially, innovators as we need to always come up with solutions to new problems,” she added. [DFA]
The Pandemic Was Never an Equalizer
Because of the coronavirus pandemic's unequal effects on rich and poor, city and country, the globe is quickly coming to grips with the fact that we must address that reality.
Educators question if the time away from school would result in a variation of the phenomena known as summer learning loss, in which kids, particularly those from underprivileged families, lose months of learning, notably in mathematics, over the summer.
Before, a percentage of children who lived far away from the nearest school would have to go for kilometers. These days, however, the same students who are eager to learn may not even have access to digital devices.
In order to cater to students with internet access that is not up to par, more people, especially the government, should be mindful that online classes are not accessible to all students.
The Filipinos have always had class issues related to access to education. While the rich have prospered, the poor have remained marginalized.
While a number of students need to visit coffee shops in order to have internet access, other individuals frequent internet cafés or even rely on Pisonet Wi-Fi. While exams may need to be planned, online learning does not often need to be totally live.
In addition to the fact that the COVID-19 situation has made it important for people to continue studying, having the lessons available online enables them to learn while reducing the risk of contamination. Nevertheless, students rely on their financial situation when choosing which educational materials to use.
Government entities can make several helpful efforts to improve the digital divide. The seriousness of COVID-19 shows the existence of this gap in technology in the Philippines and what we realized before is confirmed: access to technology should not be a luxury, it should be a need to be fulfilled. Proactive initiatives toward digital equity are necessary for the government. So far, only part-time efforts have been made towards digital inclusion at the national and municipal levels and there is no meaningful leadership on this topic. SYNC IN
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