Teacher III at E. Rodriguez Jr. High School, QC Alumnae, New Era High School

WHILE the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is constantly mutating, and its most virulent Delta variant is now in the Philippines, teachers and students tried their very best to successfully end the academic journey for School Year 2020-2021.

I commend my fellow teachers and parents for a job well done that despite an impossible mission of distance learning triggered by pandemic, we have completed a gruelling journey unsurpassed in our modern generation.

Last year may not be the most enjoyable, but it was indeed the most memorable. We cannot forget the announcement of community lockdown while we are preparing for our final exams and eventually holding our recognition and commencement exercises online.

But we stand together and undeterred by uncertainties of the future as COVID-19 limits our movements.

There were many hurdles and obstacles along the way, yet, everyone involved rose up to the challenges and we’ve finally got through this difficult year.

Watching our students moved up, graduated and received their awards, the pride we feel as their teachers and as their mentors was beyond comparison.

The struggles we had faced in the beginning of this school year were immeasurable. With a deadly virus spreading around the world and countless natural catastrophes, the pursuit of education was probably the last on everyone’s minds.

However, as educators, we cannot ignore our duties and our responsibilities to educate, to teach and to guide our students.

Education must continue for the sake of millions of students all over the country. We bravely take on and geared ourselves with whatever protection available and materials available to us. The pursuit of education should not be hindered by these trying times.

There were many things that we needed to learn in the beginning.

Teachers and students alike had to adjust and adapt to the new educational system.

We had limited time to learn various software’s in order to deliver and understand the alternative method of teaching effectively.

Of course, time was not the only limitation since we also encountered problems relating to internet connectivity such as weak or no signal at all even in certain parts of the city as well as lack of gadgets or tools for both teachers and students.

The problem was compounded by the growing financial concern in most families as extended lockdowns mean loss of income.

We had faced many difficulties and struggles throughout the year in order to be able to continue the school year.

With our new education system, there are continued challenges under the new methods.

One of the biggest challenges of home-schooling is the lack of resources and the absence of stable internet connection for students and as well as teachers.

According to a study among Filipinos in 2018, 45% (46 million) do not have internet connection, as well as 74% of (34,500) public schools.

The overwhelming challenges presented almost made it seem impossible to start the school year.

Fortunately, the government and many different organizations extended a hand to help the struggling students–as well as teachers.

Tablets that were already supplied with mobile data were distributed and lent to students while laptops and data allowances were supplied to teachers in order to make the transition and the adjustment to the new normal learning seamless.

Even the different TelCos adjusted their available data plan to make it more convenient for studying

Despite all the challenges, we cannot set aside the valuable learning and experiences this school year left.

While we thought that the tools, strategies and techniques that we utilized for this year may just be a temporary relief to deliver education, in reality, we have built a foundation for a new method of teaching.

What we developed are academic innovations that helped propel education not only for this academic year but as well as to a new era.

Let us all give ourselves a pat on the back for a job well done. We continued the pursuit of knowledge even in these uncertain times and hurdled the challenges along the way.

The education of the youth cannot be set aside. We are responsible for educating the youth and the education of the youth of today will determine the future of our nation.

I reserve my highest accolade, of course, to the members of Class of 2021. They passed and aced the ultimate test of character, particularly the courage to face whatever adversities that may come your way. By MAYLENE C. MANGAHAS