Answer:
Manila (CNN Philippines Life) — In South Korea, two students tested positive for COVID-19 as 66 schools reopened. In the Philippines, a 20 year-old student from Capiz died of a motorcycle accident on her way home, while another 20-year-old student from Masbate climbed a mountain; both were searching for a signal just to submit their academic requirements. In Japan, the students clamor that the quality of classes dropped, making them feel meaningless through online education.
Why do we still romanticize underprivileged Filipino academic resilience and sacrifice the lives of the “hope of the future” — when there is still no nationwide mass testing — just to resume classes?
With a mental health pandemic and digital divide cutting deeper into our educational system, an “academic freeze” must be considered — at least, until and unless the curve has flattened and mass testing has been made and proven effective. At most, a vaccine against COVID-19 should be developed. This pertains to suspending classes or the succeeding academic years in all modes of learning: on-site, off-site, online, and offline.
