The Office of the Rector recently released a memorandum announcing that the first term of AY 2020-2021 will be facilitated through “online and offline learning strategies”. The discussion of enrollment for the upcoming academic year has been a buzz among students, most especially because of the decision of the University to push forward with the Institutional Community Plan despite the contentions of those who belong in the Thomasian community.
The topic of enrollment has been quite a topic among students not only within the University but also from those who belong in other academic institutions. While developing online-learning strategies has been the goal of the University, it is difficult to ignore that online learning does not serve all students that well. This issue does not only encompass the availability of a steady internet connection and a ready device to do work that we need to accomplish. It also adds the fact that not all students will be able to continue their education because of different reasons such as: financial status, health, and the lack of an optimal work environment from home.
With this, we asked students through the recent #TalkOnTW if they will still enroll for AY 2020-2021.
Twitter user @Strangel101 shared her initial thoughts on the “pressure” of academic institutions to adapt with the “new normal”.
“The world is in literal shambles right now and yet students are still academically pressured by their schools to function and adapt to this ‘new normal’
Nakakalungkot na ang daming mapipilitang magLOA just because they were financially/physically/psychologically affected”
With the struggles that students and their families face in the pandemic, many are stuck with the dilemma if they should continue with AY 2020-2021. Twitter users @olyver_ly and @marcavalmoriaa shared propositions on the pressure in enrolling for the upcoming academic year.
“there are 2 options: (a) mag-eenroll but we cant have a quality education. (b) dont enroll and there’s academic/peer pressure.
we hate the fact that we are all victims of this ccf education system.”
“Pag nag enroll wala nanaman matututunan, pag di nag enroll hassle yung process pag gap year”
On the other hand, some students such as Twitter user @dulce_pomme decided not to enroll for the next academic year but as pronounced of feelings of guilt because of the lengthy journey to reach an important milestone.
“my dad told me na wag na lang pero kasi, as first batch na rin ng k12, feeling ko sobrang natagalan na ako sa pag aaral tapos panganay pa ako?? so the guilt na walang maipagmalaki parents ko :(“
Meanwhile, students are given unduly pressure from their families and their peers if they should enroll because of the fear of getting “left behind”. Twitter users @jxntxp, @fyabby, @gjcco, and @asi1892 share their experiences.
“My family wants me to enroll despite explaining that I have 3 laboratory subjects that will be difficult to learn online.
The only thing they said was “Hindi ka pwedeng madelay.””
“di talaga effective sakin online classes pero natatakot naman akong maiwanan ng batchmates ko :////”
“my parents and i think that i shouldnt enroll cuz of health reasons, lack of funds and resources, and the many problems of distance learning… but u kno they also have this fear of me getting delayed #TalkOnTW”
“I am still weighing the pros and cons of enrolling for online classes. I don’t want to waste my parents’ money if I can’t guarantee the quality education. :<”
Twitter user @YouRONElyONE shared his thoughts on the learning environment for law students in light of this pandemic.
“An Online Term for Law School is not conducive for learning…
Many of us law students experienced a waste of a good semester with online activities given for compliance sake, not for learning at all.
If this keeps up, damn the Bar exams would be at high stakes.
#TalkOnTW”
Enrolling for an online term is still a pressing issue despite the efforts of the University administration to get the Thomasian community aboard in online learning. Students have reiterated over time again and again that there are issues to be fixed that obviously go beyond a steady internet connection and stable devices. An online term is a challenge not only the University will face but the Philippines’ education system as well.
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