TO SCHOOL learners and teachers

Based on the narratives, it is evident that when alternative learning modalities are employed to deliver lessons, PBHS teachers and learners find it challenging to adapt and change. I am aware that millions of teachers and learners struggle in a similar manner to the teachers and learners at PBHS without any kind of support system. One suffering child, a parent, teacher, or mentor can better comprehend what might be happening by listening to the experiences of others.

Teachers’ dilemma

Struggling Readers

“Reading proficiency is declining,” English teacher Christine Joy Gloria claimed. This was echoed by another English teacher, Candelaria Sendol, who said, “During the first week, some of my students cannot read. We try our best to move down to their level, where students are split into fast learners and slow learners.” Other teachers have resorted to generating extra reading materials for their classes instead of utilizing the module or strictly adhering to the curriculum. “We have sets A and B, and for set A I have created a module. For set B, I have downloaded Marungko materials,” Cristhy May Fojas, a Filipino teacher said.

Mentally and Socially Unprepared

Another common challenge encountered by teachers is having students who are mentally or socially unprepared for face-toface classes. Mathematics teacher Mayren Billalba observed that throughout the class, “the students were practically sleepy, hungry, uninterested, and insistent on leaving.” This shows that the learners’ adaptation to face-to-face classes is still proving challenging. Some learners have been seen to feel uneasy in a classroom setting with a teacher. “Students’ attention is still divided because of how long they were away; adjustment takes time. Some of them are scared mentally.”

Maintaining health protocols

According to the teachers, they need to remind their students from time to time, even while classes are in session, to maintain minimum health protocols. MAPEH teacher Christine Joy Jabagat mentioned, “I need to remind the students about the health precautions every day by having them observe social distance, wash their hands, and use alcohol before entering the classroom.” Edukasyon Sa Pagpapakatao (ESP) teacher Cassandra Villacorte agreed, saying, “I must always remind them about the health protocol because I cannot prevent them from sitting together.”

Teaching strategy during the new normal

It is no longer appropriate to do group work, which was quite helpful in developing student engagement. As English teacher Myra Saycon stated so well, we must include the students in the teaching and learning process if we want to ensure that they will learn. “No group actively participated in the teaching and learning process since we are still following the health standard.” Another English teacher, Claudia Andrea Bueno, mentioned that they were looking for efficient and effective teaching strategies.

Time management

Lastly, the teachers also encountered a problem with time management. Some teachers admitted that they experienced stress and exhaustion throughout the last period of their classes.