CASS students express views on #AcademicFreeze, claim there are two sides of the clamour

By Reggy Bartido, Erica Abejuela and Geralie Albert

13 out of the 20 CASS student respondents who were randomly selected said they are in support of the timely debated topic of academic freeze from a recent online survey conducted by CASSayuran from October to November 2020, meanwhile, the remaining seven respondents articulated otherwise. Students who are both in favor and opposed expressed their cause and opinion regarding the matter; claiming there are two sides of the ongoing debate.

It is in our knowledge that few months after the proliferation of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Philippines, a public outcry for an academic freeze has started outside and inside digital spaces especially on various social media platforms identified as #AcademicFreeze, which calls for the national suspension or cancellation of this year's classes due to financial, mental, and emotional constraints experienced by students and teachers alike.

It’s been two months since classes have started, yet there are still voices that cry for an academic suspension. CASSayuran determined three recurring themes in the responses of the respondents who support the #AcademicFreeze, likewise there are three recurring themes found in the responses of those who are against the academic freeze.

WE ARE NOT READY

From the 20 respondents, 13 of them framed that the Philippine’s education system is not ready to make a virtual transition, as it would "increase educational inequality." But others had a more psychological concern. 

A Political Science student opined that

kung pipilitin nating magpatuloy, hindi ba macocompromise ang quality ng edukasyon? Hindi lahat may mental & emotional strength & capacity para sa online class...naniniwala akong sa edukasyon, walang estudyante ang dapat na maiwan.

(If we continue any further [with this mode of learning], wouldn't the quality of the education be compromised? Everyone does not have the mental and emotional strength and capacity for online class...I believe that in education, no student should be left behind.)

However, it was not purely psychological because some had economic concerns like Nina Tomarong, Kate Lanihao, Nestle Tumampos, Micah Jarales and Angela Canoy. They founded their response on the economic and social capital struggles of the disadvantaged learners in the time of a new form of learning.

Suspension of classes should be implemented to avoid discriminatory tendencies for those who cannot provide the new paradigm for the students' academic needs.

 Tomarong, a Sociology student, said.

Although Philosophy student Lanihao believed she’s capable on coping with the online modality for learning, she’s aware how hard it is, especially to the students living under unfortunate circumstances,

...but if it means leaving numerous people behind for the reason they have no control of then I must say I will stand to support #AcademicFreeze in this time of crisis.

she said.

Moreover, Canoy, a Filipino student, also quoted,

As a country that belongs to the third world, we do not have the resources nor the strength to fight this problem altogether… Our country cannot or should I say would dare not cancel one or two school years, for the authorities that get the final say overestimates themselves. I support academic freeze, not all of us can have the resources to go with the flow.

 

The Learning Process This Time is Difficult

    With the new form of learning, it certainly gave some learners a hard time. Adjustments had to be made physically, mentally, and financially. Accordingly, some learners look at these adjustments as "difficult.”

I am making a stand here for the government and others to realize how difficult it is to deal with this learning process… Not everyone is fortunate to have an educator that is considerate and eager to administer worthwhile knowledge. It's been a month and yet I still perceive no changes at all, it is getting worse day by day. Not all schemes and strategies work for how we expect it to work. 

BA Psychology student Marynette Frades said and added that the government should devise a concrete plan and strategic actions to solve the current problem.

In light of the difficulty of the learning process in the time of a new form of learning, BA Psychology student Lhirry Demin remarked that the space for learning is not and could not be replicated through the screen or being in the house, and even more so the underprivileged learners. He described Academic Freeze as being

“empathic” and claimed, “living in the comfort of our homes is not the reality for everyone”.

Additionally, Louis Dorcas, a BA Sociology student who once stopped her studies for one year during elementary, didn’t want to be delayed again. However, her awareness of the different narratives concerning the modes of learning made her support the freeze,

But at this point in time and as a student who is striving to cope with the situation, I suppose that the valued meaning of education is placed in the context of mediocrity (e.g) students just pass requirements for compliance instead of truly learning, unfavorable conditions under circumstances that can affect one's well being (mental health for example), etc.

she stated.

Apart from the complaints that today’s learning process is difficult, Franklyn Pagarigan, a Filipino major student stated that there were people taking advantage by earning through answering the students’ modules,

Therefore, children are able to pass but not able to learn. That aside, parents are the one struggling to answer and the kids' attention are lured away from other non-acad activities.

Adjemore Manabat, a BA English student, supports the former's stance and recommended the Academic freeze for the whole time of this crisis. He mentioned that many students are withdrawing and are currently not enrolled due to the lack of provisions to support their online education. As a matter of fact, Senator Gatchalian stated on September 16 during the Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture’s public hearing on the status of preparations for the online classes that over 2.3 million students have not enrolled for the current school year as the education system shifts to distanced modes of learning.

Health and Safety as the Top Priority

    The health and safety category is most compromised at this time, and it is due to COVID-19. Unfortunately, most (and even the basic) human processes, i.e., social/physical interaction, have to be either stopped or reevaluated. The education system in the Philippines got a reevaluation. Consequently, new forms of learning were introduced: online learning and modular distance learning to cater all demographics. Nevertheless, in this course of action, Merhanky Bani, a History student, feels that other areas need more attention and precedence from top authorities, especially in this time of crisis. 

Education has always been an important factor in our life. But in this time of crisis, I believe that our health and safety must be given priority first. The schools and the teachings can wait… It's not just what we want, it's what we all need.

Bani said.

Moreover, Kurt Michael Dagohoy, a Political Science student, expressed his concern about the students’ increasing rate of suicide in times of pandemic. According to him,

...it cannot be denied that implementing #AcademicFreeze will have detrimental effects towards our economy and workforce but with the pandemic ongoing, students are more prone to having mental health problems. Certainly, we would not want another student to take his/her own life, certainly we would not want our fellow youth to be placed in distress as the lack of gadgets to be connected and the ever-slowing internet connection disrupts our education, certainly we would not want another student to be dropped out because their parents can no longer support their education. It is high time that we give the studentry a well needed time off to keep themselves together and be able to prioritize what is needed nowadays.

 

NO TO #ACADEMIC FREEZE

The other side of the survey, however, reveals another story. From the 20 respondents of the survey, seven responses were classified against the idea of #AcademicFreeze. Adam Marcello and Regine Faith Condiman, who are both Filipino major students and are currently in an economic crisis, still managed to support the continuation of education despite constraints. Accordingly, there are two main themes identified.

Education Must Not Be Delayed

    For the most part, cancelling the academic year for a year or two would have its fair share of consequences. Virtually, the freeze would extend a learner's years in school/university.  In line with this, Christine Sevilla and Jayson Abad expressed their thought in the survey and responded: 

  

There are people who can't afford to delay education—workers, breadwinners, scholars with conditions to graduate in a specific amount of time. Further, it will put teachers and other school personnel at a disadvantage as some are relying only on the income of their profession. It will heighten the unemployment rate much more as our country is now facing economic recession.

Sevilla, a BS Psychology student, suggested that teachers be more empathetic so learners won't experience too many difficulties, such as giving fewer requirements and more interactive quality learning in an ample amount of time. Further, schools shouldn’t also charge students unnecessary fees to lessen tuitions according to her. 

    Apart from that, she also recommended the necessary state services and concrete plans of the government such as building more cell towers for free public Wi-Fi, procure technological devices and have community-based learning in zones or barangays with volunteer teachers, and students who don’t have a healthy learning environment at home provided with Wi-Fi, printers and reading materials while following strict health protocols. 

If our country badly wants to push through education, we need to invest in it,

Sevilla Added.

Meanwhile, BA Sociology student Jayson Abad believed that the outcry should have received recognition before classes have opened.

The efforts of every stakeholder will become a waste if we stop in the middle of the semester - The resources that our schools prepared, and the sleepless nights of our teachers for our learning to get somehow easier. We can't compromise our learning and I believed we must adapt, we must evolve, and we must survive. This pandemic has redefined our collective future through distance learning. It's not that I am privileged that I can utter these words. It's just that I'm looking into a wider context using a lens of a true-blooded IITian.

Building on this, their framing is mainly economic, and they cannot be blamed for that. Nevertheless, the other theme, another extension of those who oppose academic freeze, see it in another angle. They base their response, not on psychological or financial reasoning or the limiting factors of the new form of learning; instead, it is anchored on the desire to have officials better respond to the pandemic. 

  

NO TO #ACADEMICFREEZE, YES TO BETTER INTERVENTION PLANS

    The last theme identified in the responses who opt to oppose academic freeze is associated with the idea that there is no need for #AcademicFreeze, because "#LigtasBalikIskwela" must be given more precedence than the former. The former only focuses on the stoppage of the academic year to give leeway to authorities to combat the spread of the virus. While the latter demands for a better and more responsive COVID-19 intervention from top officials to allow a safer resumption of face-to-face classes and other basic human processes. 

    Eve Jimenez, a BS Psychology student expressed her doubt about her former stand on #YestoAcademicFreeze. In her statement, she realized how one-sided her perspective was, and as she looked further into future consequences, she said

Nagbago na ang isip ko at hindi na ako tuluyang sumusuporta sa #Academicfreeze. Hindi lahat ay mayroong pribilehiyo upang bigla nalang tumigil at magpatuloy ng pag-aaral kung kailan nila nais. Bagkus ay isinisulong ko ang #LigtasBalikEskwela; isulong natin ang mass testing.

(I have changed my mind and I will no longer support the #AcademicFreeze. Not everyone is privileged enough to stop going to school/university, and then return whenever they want. Consequently, I fight for #LigtasBalikEskwela; let’s fight and demand for mass testing.)

BS Psychology student, Hannah Ruth Diacor also stated that

Instead of bringing forward #AcademicFreeze, let's campaign for safe school reopening and continue the call for mass testing. Let's call for proper government intervention that would leave no stakeholder behind.

The debate over #AcademicFreeze has been going on long enough. However, every time there is a discourse on this matter, strong opinions from different walks of life would continue to clash. Although, it could be said that the topic has passed away since classes are starting, and various academic institutions are implementing their ways of continuing classes. This survey suggests that assertions are identified as dealing with the difficulties of the new learning processes which jeopardizes the learners’ mental health, the lack of adequate resources and tools that incites injustice to the unprivileged, and the quality education would be compromised.

    CASS Governor and Political Science student Adin Ligsanan addressed that though the country is not ready for the virtual shift, education is still necessary to continue. He said that people should not talk about the clamour for #AcademicFreeze without looking at the adverse long-term effects of school closures on the economy, society, and the educational system itself. According to him,

Closing down schools rob students of equal opportunity to participate in education, while well-resourced institutions and privileged students will continue education leaving their disadvantaged counterparts behind, as a result broadening the effects of educational inequality. Economic stagnancy also poses a graver danger than inequality as it immobilizes productivity and hampers the country's literacy rate…

He also claimed that a higher education, which improves economic activity, has been the main objective of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and to continue education even amid the pandemic, alternative learning methods and integrating flexible policies have to be embraced as these reduced the widening of academic inequalities. However, he said that it is impossible to absolutely bridge the gap of inequalities during the crisis and quoted,

even if schools are still closed down, the poor still remain wallowing in the dirt of poverty while the privilege sees it as the new normal.