Unlocking Passion During Lockdown:
Helping the Students Imagine the World by Words
By: Laica B. Abosama
PROJECT
ALALAY.
Jhon Patrick D. Laurel, a grade 2 pupil of Tugbok Central Elementary School
SpEd Center, engaged in the school’s reading intervention program through
teacher-made video lessons.
In this year, millions of diverse individuals,
regardless of beliefs, genders, and societal status, have been surviving from
the agony and adversity caused by a global health crisis, the coronavirus
disease known as the COVID-19 pandemic. As the world faces uncertainty, most of
the countries affected assumed the new normal basis in adherence to the health
protocols and guidelines wherein institutions and agencies should comply and
act.
In the new normal, virtual learning has been the best
alternative to offer education at home since state and health agencies
prioritize safety and security measures. The School Principal of Tugbok Central
Elementary School Sped Center, Riza P. Lobitos, created this Reading
Intervention Program for nonreaders called “Project Alalay”.
Its goal is to help the students become fluent readers
who understand what they read. It also allows students to improve their reading
and comprehension skills. Each class is tailored to address students'
individual needs in a limited group environment. To accommodate varying rates
of learning, the pace of teaching is adjusted.
Before the pandemic happened, they distributed hard
copies of learning materials to each student. They assessed the learning development of the
students and make activities according to their needs. It was way manageable
since the teachers will just had to print the materials and give them to the
students to answer as they can also guide them in answering during their free
time in class. But due to the covid 19 pandemic, they had to change their ways
and adapt to the new normal. This reading intervention program encompasses
kindergarten to grade 6 students with MTB, Filipino, and English subjects.
Teaching online was a tad more challenging than
teaching in a face-to-face classroom. Instead of halting the program, they
decided to shift to uploading videos on YouTube to adapt to the new teaching method.
The process was a lot harder because they do not only make videos; they also
had to provide the soft copies to the parents to guide the learners thru
Facebook and messenger.
In an interview with Ethel M. Lagamon a grade one
teacher, she said that it was not easy to adapt to this new method because not
all of them are experts in using technology. It wasn't just about clicking the
record button; they had to learn how to edit videos to make them more engaging
and eye-pleasing to the students, upload them on YouTube, and put a thumbnail
on the video.
Many sleepless nights are spent trying to find out how
things work and ensure that the students are engaged and are not losing their
motivation. Even though it was challenging
for them, they persevered in fulfilling their obligations as teachers and
ensuring that no learner was left behind.
In another interview with Mrs Chanda C. Buisant, a parent
of a grades 1 and 4 students, said that “Nalipay mi maam kay naay ingani na
programa ang skwelahan na dagko kayo ug
tabang sa among mga anak na makatuon ug basa miskan naa lang sila sa
panimalay.” She also added that she appreciated the teachers’ efforts for going
to incredible lengths to help their children improve and enhance their reading
skills. It was also a way of keeping them busy with their studies instead of
playing and doing nothing.
The teachers of Tugbok Central Elementary School Sped
Center are doing what they have always done. They took what was handed to them
and made sure that their learners will get the assistance they need with their
study. The pandemic may have reshaped how schools’ function, but it never
changed the hearts and passion of the teachers – to give the best educational
experience to their students no matter what the situation is.
