The introduction of online enrollment was a heavy burden not only for us teachers, but also for our students and their families, because of poor Internet connection caused by unstable signals of telecom providers. We were advised by the school’s division heads to make sure that all our students would be enrolled at the start of the school year. This was no easy feat!

In July 2020, we were asked to enroll our students using the online platform prepared by the Department of Education. We were provided a link that was to be sent to the students to obtain their data for enrollment. To make sure that my students would be enrolled, I also sent the link to their parents using various social media platforms. Previously, I had sent instructions and reminders on how to fill up the forms so that it would be easier for each one to register online.

Due to the lockdown, everyone had to stay home. Visiting computer shops was the only way to access the link and enroll. But even these shops were closed! The poor telecom signals in many areas have made it difficult for those who only use their cellphones to get Internet access. What to do? As a Focolare youth, I learned to be creative in loving my neighbor. In this instance, my neighbors were my students. So, I decided to deal with the problem myself. I contacted all those who didn’t have any possibility to access the link and proposed to them that I would access it for them since I have Internet connection at home. Because of this, many of my students were able to enroll, and thus, I felt a new joy I had never experienced before. I think it was a joy that came from my offering to be of help to my students.

More than a year has passed since then, but the challenges remain. In some areas, the Learn-From-Home setup has become more burdensome for many students, including their families. The online classes did not produce optimum results. That was expected due to many reasons, primarily, the students’ lack of Internet connection and very poor reception because of insufficient or defective telecom infrastructure. The modular form of studies also does not offer good results due to the distance of schools from the homes of the students. There are times when teachers would have to travel a long distance to meet with individual students. And sometimes, this meeting with students lasts only a short time.

Last January 2021, I had difficulty getting in touch with one of my students. The parent came to get the modules but never returned to submit them, or get the other modules to complete the lessons for the whole quarter. As an adviser, I felt I had to investigate the situation of my student to find out the reason why the parent no longer showed up. I asked his classmates about the whereabouts and situation of this student but could not get any information.

One day, one of my fellow subject teachers, who happened to be part of our Group Chat, told me that he knew the barangay (village) where the student lived, so I decided to conduct a home visit. Despite the threat of the pandemic and the possibility of getting infected with the coronavirus, I decided to gather all the necessary information to travel and meet with my student and his parents. I went to my student’s barangay, but no one seemed to know his family. I even asked strangers and passers-by if they knew my student’s family. Eventually, one of them was able to show me the exact place I needed to go. Shortly after, I was able to meet my student’s aunt. Later, I finally met the student himself and told him the reason for my visit, that I was concerned why his parent did not return to submit the modules and get the rest of the modules for that quarter. Visibly embarrassed, my student and his parents apologized to me. Whatever the reason was didn’t matter to me anymore, for I was already relieved to be able to reach and contact my student. The day after, he reported to school and got all the remaining modules.

This was just one of the many challenges that we teachers continue to face, day after day. Nonetheless, our commitment as educators pushes us to overcome difficulties and always be available anytime and anywhere to meet the needs of our students.

As a teacher, I firmly believe in the old maxim that says, “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire” [in the heart of each student]. True enough, students may forget what you say, but they will not forget how you made them feel loved!

Ronald Allan Relador