by PHOEBE CHELLUA SADORRA | Editorial Correspondents
The sudden influx of cases within the nation raised doubt once more on whether face-to-face classes should be an option for students. Vaccination keeps being a hanging factor when it comes to this debate but different sides speak of different stances. Educators and students aren’t alone in the divide, but really… which route has the most merit?
Even when opening socials, the complaint, and indifference of students of all student grade levels keep becoming more evident by the day. Too much pressure, too little help, and time. It became a subject of significant notice that roused grimmer results. According to a survey conducted by Statista, thirty percent of students answered online distance learning as only 20 to 50 percent effective as opposed to the meek 14 percent that finds it one hundred percent effective. (https://www.statista.com/statistics/1262427/philippines-view-on-effectiveness-of-distance-learning-compared-to-face-to-face-schooling/)
However, is it really worth accomodating the students’ wishes with the threat of variants spreading every now and then? SARS, Delta, and Omicron all rebut the much-needed change in education methods. As we greet the new year new changes will be implemented in the metropolitan area where the variants surged. President Duterte himself even stated last thursday "Takot ako (sa) Omicron because pumuputok na sa lahat ng bayan sa buong mundo. Hindi naman ito, I think, fatal mutant, but ang takot ko 'yung resources naman ng government,".
With both handicaps, can it even be possible to find an overlapping solution? Student rights to a free education compared to their citizen safety? Despite their simultaneous rise and fall, it takes much more consideration before a definitive conclusion can be reached.
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