Many Filipino parents have chosen online learning for their children this academic year 2020-2021 to help prevent the risk of their kids from contracting the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The Filipino Times spoke to parents who shared how they have prepared a space in their home for their children this school year.
Name of Parent: Karen Torres
Name of Child/Children: Kaye Torres
School in UAE: Philippine Emirates Private School
Grade/Year in School: Grade 6
“Effective ang distance learning sa anak ko kasi strikto ang mga teacher. Dapat naka focus ka talaga sa klase.”
Name of Parent: Christine Espinosa-Erlanda
Name of Child/Children: David Erlanda
School in UAE: Gems Metropole
Grade/Year in School: (Picture taken from last school year – he was Year 2) now he is in Year 3 or Grade 2
“Mayroon kami naka setup na laptop at computer area na maari nya gamitin para sa pagaaral. Ngunit mas madalas ay Ipad ang ginagamit nila last term para sa online school sessions nya. Hinahayaan namin kung ano ang mas comfortable sa pwesto para sa kanya.
“For school year 2020 – 2021 pinili namin ang 100% online learning, inilipat din namin siya nv paraalan na nagooffee ng 100% Online Schooling (K12 International Academy Middle East) dahil mas malaya ang timings at flexible ang oras ng pagaaral. Nakita namin ang improvement at progress ng anak namin nuong nagshift to online classes sa huling term ng school 2019-2020. Above all mas panatag ang loob naman para sa health and safety nya.
Name of Parent: Jhessica Suleman
Name of Child/Children: Zainab Suleman
School in UAE: Apple International School
Grade/Year in School: FS2
“Pinili kong hindi muna pabalikin sa classroom ang anak ko. Hindi muna sa ngayon not unless mag-require na ng mandatory test ang KHDA sa lahat ng students at parents, bukod sa teachers at admins ng school. Nakahanap ako ng pwesto kung saan komportable siya at walang distractions,”
Name of Parent: Eric & Ivy Aragon
Name of Child/Children: Magnus Doce P. Aragon
School in UAE: Richmindale International School
Grade/Year in School: KG2
“Sa kwarto ang napili kong lugar para sa anak namin dahil sa tahimik at para mas makapag focus siya sa kanyang aralin. Kung wala ng kumakalat na COVID-19, siyempre papayagan na naming bumalik ang anak namin — mas gusto namin yung may interaction sa ibang kids. Pero kung wala pang gamot sa virus.. eh better na mag distance learning nalang muna siya. STAY HOME, STAY SAFE.”
Name of Parent: Kath Orcilla
Name of Child/Children: Megan (yr 6) and Margo (yr 1)
School in UAE: Gems Winchester School Dubai
Grade/Year in School:
Megan year 6 (10 years old)
Margo year 1 (5 years old)
“We use our dining room table because this is the biggest table in our house where we can also sit next to our children while we are working from home.
“Yes, we prefer the kids to be physically in school. The experience of learning with a group of kids, practicing leadership in classroom projects and physical activities are some of the things my children are missing. We will be forced to send them back to their physical classrooms once we are required to go back to our offices. No one will look after and monitor our kids whilst doing their online classes.
“However, the distance learning experience make us parents more engaged in our daughters’ academics. We literally sit next to them and listen to their classes and check their work before submitting online. Returning to school will be subject to healthy and safety measures implementation. We will see how it works for the next few weeks before we decide on sending them back to their classrooms.
Name of Parent: Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth & Irene Grace Banilao
Name of Child/Children: Kim Margareth P. Banilao
School in UAE: The Philippine School Abu Dhabi
Grade/Year in School: Grade 8
“Like most of other parents in her batch, we believe that it’s not safe for our child to return to the classroom for a face to face model of teaching at this time, hence we chose the distance learning instead. This actually not only for our daughter’s safety, but also for the protection of other students, and the teachers in her school, as this COVID19 shows no signs of going away soon. And also considering that we do not still have the approved vaccine againts it.
Name of Parent: Gulliver and Hanna Garcia
Name of Child/Children: Bianca Marie Garcia
School in UAE: GEMS Winchester Oud Metha/Dubailand
Grade/Year in School: 8
” She’s currently on blended learning set up, I know eventually everyone will come back to school because iba parin ang may personal engagement and interaction not just with teacher but also with fellow students. As a matter of fact, prior to the situation (COVID-19) we have now, the children who were doing online schooling or under a homebased education are still encouraged and or required to do outside activities that would allow them to interact with other kids or adults. Human interaction is vital in our learning and growth.
