Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is bringing uncertainty as classes are moved virtually and the outbreak has significantly created impact on students and their families from across the country. In some affected areas, thousands of young learners have been hindered to return to normal teaching until August, as announced by the Department of Education (Dep Ed).
Given this uncertainty, how can we help them during this difficult time to meet their needs and expectations?
To fill the hopes of children’s eagerness to learn, the administration of Sampaguita Elementary School (SES) from Naujan, Oriental Mindoro launched AKAP, “Ayuda, Kaagapay sa Paaralan”— providing basic needs of students’ families affected by the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).
With the solidarity of the teachers, alumni, PTA officials and stakeholders, in a span of one week, the group raised P115,000 which was donated to fulfill the basic needs of the disadvantaged families. As a result of the voluntary donations of people who were open-hearted with the assistance used in purchasing the goods for relief packs, which include rice and canned goods, and providing learning materials — sufficing the hunger of 330 schoolchildren’s minds in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
The learning materials handed to the students include exercises from different subject areas like English and Filipino reading comprehension, Science analysis works, and Mathematics problem solving quizzes. The teachers also include test papers along with the exercises that will be helpful for the students during this quarantine period.
According to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture Sen. Win Gatchalian, learning from home is the “new normal”. This will ensure the safety and continued education of the country’s more than 27 million learners amid the threat of COVID-19. He emphasized, however, that going back to school does not necessarily mean face-to-face learning, because even when learners do not report to classrooms, they should continue their lessons at home with the help of flexible learning modalities, including online platforms, television, radio, and printed materials.
The beneficiaries thanked the people behind Project AKAP under the initiative of School Head Febelyn Balbuena with the support of the entire school teacher force and the cooperation of the PTA and its officials.
“Nakakaiyak na talaga itong sinimulan natin, may mga tao talagang handang tumulong para sa mga pupils natin (It’s really touching that when we started this initiative, there were people who are willing to help our students)”, says SES School Head Febelyn Balbuena.
SES also thanked all those who supported and funded this project for a successful action in reaching out and distributing AKAP to every young student.
“Masaya akong nakatutulong lalo na sa mga bata, pero mas masaya sa feeling yung maka-inspire ka ng ibang tao na gumawa rin magandang adhikain,” (I enjoy helping children, but I am happier that I can inspire other people to do good things too,” says Joel Bejer, SES teacher.
Meanwhile, all barangay officers of Barangay Sampaguita who have been on duty in maintaining peace and safety of the community were given relief packs.
Because of the global pandemic, students are facing unprecedented ripple effects from the spread of coronavirus, hampering their focus on school learning. But the unity and cooperation of these people only show that there is hope amidst the crisis we face over COVID-19. (Gene Ace Sapit/PIA-Mimaropa)
