editorial
From Unsung Heroes to Declared Victors
Jessica Jesusa Español Nequinto
opinion
10
VOL X
No. 01
themselves as the division’s leading edges to monitor the employees and
learners’ condition, and assure that everyone complies with the health
guidelines and protocol. Personnel on Human Resource and Clerical-Re-
lated Groups keep abreast on maintaining, securing and coordinating
records and data for reports. Utility Personnel serves as the forefront
to assure the cleanliness and sanitization of the school, equipment and
properties, and learning materials. And the valiant security personnel
assures the peace and safe keeping of the school. Notwithstanding the
skeletal work arrangement of the general body of the schools division,
most of our unsung heroes risk their lives without fear and retaliation
by going out to school and other offices just to accomplish the needed
transactions for the school’s program, projects, improvement and un-
ceasing performance. The menace of potential exposure is greatly pos-
sible to happen. But in fulfillment of their oath-taken jobs, it is their
silent sacrifices which contribute to our journey to wrestle this horrible
situation worthwhile.
For a long time, lights are now burning to finally see our sur-
rounding that we have other heroes existing in the silent corners of
school office buildings. Visualize that in every learning module, there’s
a touch of committed non-teaching personnel who lent his time be-
yond his duty and core responsibility to reproduce, bind and distribute
modules regardless of the anxiety and stress they face, too, during this
time. Imagine also that in every health kit, learning tokens and simple
U nknown to many, the DepEd Zambales, even before the burst
of pandemic, has already battling with the formidable chal-
lenges in the delivery of quality education. These daunting
trials have been supported by the undeniably courageous and diligent
people of the division – the Non-Teaching Personnel.
In scenarios like achievement of exemplary rate of literacy and
promotion, and completion of students’ educational requirements, com-
mendations and applause are automatically recognized to the faculty
alone by the parents and community. So when shocks and aftershocks of
pandemic hit Zambales, it paved a way to appreciate the silent efforts of
all school educators and professionals including the non-teaching staff.
Attributable to the restructured organizational work pattern, the bright
stories of tears and efforts by these unsung heroes are finally
Adoption of flexible rearranged work practices such as tele-
communication and other alternative workspaces were implemented
in pursuit of continuous conveyance of basic education and services
for teachers and learners. Being the backbone of the schools division,
non-teaching personnel maintains the interlinkages open despite the
threat of the invisible enemy. Supervisors continue to steer the order-
liness, compliance and smooth sail of school operations, as well as the
behavior and mental well-being of the employees. Finance and Supply
teams, on the other hand, continue to function especially the funding
supplementations and disbursements for school operations and em-
“
ployees’ compensation. Moreover, the Health Services selflessly devoted
“Public service must be more than do-
ing a job efficiently and with honesty.
It must be a complete dedication to the
people and to the nation”
assistance these people gave, a piece of every education-support teams,
health services and supervisors was also draped there. Their thoughts
and courageous acts are wrapped in each piece of any kind that make
the schools and education run – all for the public service, all for the
bright future of learners.
Margaret Chase Smith, one of the world’s promising pub-
lic servant, once said, “Public service must be more than doing a job
efficiently and with honesty. It must be a complete dedication to the
people and to the nation”. Truly, the dedication of the DepEd Zambales
Non-Teaching Personnel, especially in the midst of COVID-19, is beyond
compare. With these people, the coping and resilience are fondled as the
doors of schools are slowly opening once again to welcome our future
leaders – the pupils and students. The songs of their notable acts are
now finally being heard. What happened during the pandemic launched
for the song of appreciation for the non-teaching staff’s meritorious ac-
complishment. It is only fair to give these unsung heroes the clap they
deserved for the long time and dedication they served.
Shall the sun set in each day, it is lovely to claim that non-teach-
ing personnel are heroes, too. Heroes who are unsung no more. Be
proud, you’re a non-teaching employee of DepEd Zambales. Be proud,
simply because you are a hero.
Out of love for the learners: The birth of academic ease
to create depth focused on dif-

opinion
clear lens ficulty, which ended up doing

11
nothing more than make life
Ricky Torres Lansang harder for students.
Teacher III
A 2021 study from Subic Nation-

“
Subic National High School

Teachers all around the world prepared we were for distance

had a hard time adjusting to the
conditions of the pandemic, as
our instructional methods had
to change drastically to meet the
demands of online learning. As
critics of academic easing raise
claims that it only coddles the
students, we must remember an
important lesson from the pan-
demic: depth does not mean
difficulty.
As soon as distance learning
started in 2020, there were
immediate calls for academic
easing. They urged educators
to lessen requirements and be
more considerate to students.
At the time, the conditions were
tough, as many areas were still
under severe quarantine mea-
sures. Many were also out of
work, and so students and teach-
ers alike were struggling to meet
the demands of the new system.
This, combined with how un-
learning, made academic easing
an easy choice.
Still, educators and administra-
tors criticized these calls. They
said that it was impossible to
meet these demands without
sacrificing the quality of educa-
tion. They dismissed the propos-
als of academic easing, saying
that the proponents only want-
ed to coddle the children. They
held onto their requirements,
and in so doing believed that
they were helping their students
to learn more.
We now know that this was not
the case.
Instead of helping, many stu-
dents complained that the re-
quirements only made them
more stressed. Instead of help-
ing them learn, they started do-
ing the activities for the sake of
submitting them. The attempts
When depth is
equated to difficulty,
it ends in disaster.
Ending academic
easing is not the
solution to our ed- VOL X
ucation woes; it will No. 01
only make them ever
worse.
al High School, for example,
asked STEM students for their
teach more by piling on activi-
opinions on their core subject ties; we only make it harder for
modules. These students said
students. This is especially true
that although the modules in the present context, where
were above average in terms
everyone is still struggling from
of the discussion portions, they the pandemic. We must find
were much too difficult and
more efficient and effective ways
asked far too much from the of teaching instead of blinding
students. Their main recom-
adding to the workload.
mendation was to reduce the
number of tasks and instead
When depth is equated to diffi-
spend more time on high-yield culty, it ends in disaster. Ending
activities.
academic easing is not the solu-
tion to our education woes; it will
This must be a lesson for us only make them ever worse.
moving forward. We do not

Sa ngalan ng sinumpaang tungkulin

Napakasarap sa pakiramdam ang maging isang guro kahit na
sa totoo lang maraming hamon na kinakaharap, kinakaya pa rin. Determinado’t
punong-puno ng dedikasyon at malasakit sa mga mag-aaral na ma-
Rommel Reyes Quinsay sayang niyakap ang propesyon ng maraming taon. Ang paaralan ang
Teacher III nagsisilbing pangalawang tahanan at naging saksi sa masigasig na
Pamatawan Integrated School
pagtuturo.

Sa paglipas ng pana-
hon iba’t ibang pagsubok ang
kinakaharap dala ng pagbaba-
go sa larangan ng pagtuturo at
edukasyon. Mula sa mga simple
at tradisyunal na pagtuturo sa si-
lid-aralan, mas naging kumplika-
do sapagkat pumasok ang iba’t
ibang istratehiya, inobasyon,
integrasyon, maging ang pag-
gamit ng iba’t ibang teknolohi-
ya. Ngunit ito’y napagtagump-
ayan sapagkat ang mga guro ay
laging positibo at kinakaya lahat
ang gawaing iniatas sa kanya.
Ngayong panahon ng pande-
mya, panibagong hamon na
naman ang nakaatang na ha-
harapin ng mga guro. Laban na
hindi lamang isasaalang-alang
ang sariling kapakanan ngunit
higit ang kalusugan ng mga
mag-aaral.
Sa krisis na kinakaharap
natin ngayon, buong pusong
haharapin ang nakaambang
hamon sa pagtuturo. Ngayong
new normal, titindig at mag-
bibigay pag-asa sa mga kabata-
an at maghahatid ng de-kalidad
at ligtas na edukasyon sa likod
ng agam-agam at takot. Alam
kong ito’y hindi magiging madali
ngunit kung may pagtutulungan
at pagkakaisa sa isang adhikain,
hindi malabong mangyari na ang
inaasam na magandang bukas
para sabata at para sa bayan ay
makakamit sa gitna man ng pan-
demyang Covid-19.
opinion
12
VOL X
No. 01
With the apparent decline in
the number of COVID-19 cas-
es in the past two weeks af-
ter the surge brought about
by the Omicron variant, it is
wise to start acting up again
on the educational proposals
brought by DepEd. This does
not mean that we are to over-
look the COVID scare and the
unpredictability of the virus,
rather this means that we are
to rise above the challenge
and not succumb to the claw
of a defeatist mindset.
February of this year marks
the relaunch of the halted
face-to-face implementation
classes during this pandemic.
This is confirmed by Acting
Presidential Spokesperson
Karlo Nograles, pointing out
that 309 public schools in Alert
Level 2 areas are visioned to
resume classes soon. In Metro
Manila, 118 schools are eyed
to spearhead the challenge,
in Cagayan Valley, 12 schools;
in Central Luzon, 106; in Cala-
barzon Region, 57; and in East-
ern Visayas, 16. This much of
schools proposed are going to
start classes in different days
depending on their regional
situations, but all within this
month. Some may argue that
it is too soon to relaunch as
many schools after the highest
number of positive cases test-
introspection
Over being a defeatist
ed happened on January 16,
with 36,983 among the many
tested turning out to be pos-
itive of the virus, but it is also
apparent in the proceeding
days that this number along
with the positivity rate has de-
creased up till 6,835 cases this
February 7 (two days before
the earliest date among the
proposed resume of face-to-
face classes).
Moreover, the selected
schools were chosen via the
School Safety Assessment
Tool (SSAT) which shows the
administrative effort of DepEd
in a careful yet proactive ap-
proach to the problem. In ad-
Wilbert O. Minola
Head Teacher III
San Antonio National High School
“ Most importantly, we
dition, local health and local
municipal approvals concur-
rences were also sought for
each school endorsed. Lastly,
not only the external matters
of each school were identified,
the internal capacity of each
school to provide and conduct
teaching were also considered.
Corollary to this, only vaccinat-
ed teaching and non-teaching
personnel are allowed to par-
ticipate in the resume of the
classes. This amount of height-
ened security and level of intri-
cateness should be seen as af-
firmative efforts and be a point
wherein people may be able to
rest assured. In fact, in the pre-
vious spree of the face-to-face
P
have to be reminded
that our country has
started the imple-
mentation of face-
to-face classes last
among many other
third-world countries
and that our current
educational report
according to many
world institutions, like
World Bank, is below
minimum proficiency.
classes from November 15 to
December 22, no student was
exposed to the virus and there
was a high-level of attendance
among the students (averag-
ing up to 83%).
Most importantly, we have to
be reminded that our country
has started the implementa-
tion of face-to-face classes last
among many other third-world
countries and that our current
educational report according
to many world institutions, like
World Bank, is below minimum
proficiency. DepEd Undersec-
retary Nepomuceno Malaluan
even mentions this as a chal-
lenge to be faced. Now that
this reality compounds to the
challenge of teaching in a pan-
demic, there really should be
no space in our mindsets to be
defeatist in face of the virus.
Now that this phase is about
to start, it is time we support
the campaign. We should be-
gin again, keep the momen-
tum and stop dilly-dallying. It
is important to remember: fear
thrives among the scared.

Pairalin ang Pagtutulungan
bayan ni juan
Jane M. Montalla
Principal II
Nagsimula sa isang karatula na nagsasabing “magbigay tumulong ka ng bukal sa
ayon sa kakayahan, kumuha batay sa pangangailangan” kalooban at makiisa sa
hanggang sa sumikat sa ibat-ibang panig ng bansa ang bayanihan para sa bayan
pagbabayanihan.
Likas naman sa Pinoy ang
pagiging matulungin, mag-
ing kahit anong hamon
kayang harapin. Nang
maranasan ng madla ang
delubyong hindi nakikita
ngunit damang-dama ay
nalugmok nang husto sa
pinansyal na pangangail-
angan ang maraming tao.
Kaliwat-kanang hinaing
ang maririning. Talamak
ang nangyaring pagkagu-
tom resulta ng pagkawala
ng trabaho at serbisyo.Lit-
eral na tumigil ang mundo
sa ilan sapagkat ang bawat
butil ng bigas na kanilang
ihahain sa hapag ay hindi
nila alam kung saan maha-
hagilap.
Ilang buwan ding su-
mailalim ang bansa sa Lock-
down upang kahit paano
ay mapigilan ang paglobo
ng kaso ng COVID-19. Sa
patuloy na pakikibaka sa
virus na di nakikita ay lumi-
“
opinion
13
Tayo man ay nasa gitna
ng pandemya,hindi pa
rin talaga mawawala ang
pagkakaisa at pagtutu-
lungan, dahil si Juan dela
Cruz kahit kailan ay hindi
nagdamot kaya kung
kaisa sa layuning ito ,
VOL X
ni Juan. No. 01
kumukuha ng higit sa pan-
gangailangan kaya ang
mga talagang dapat na
makinabang ay nauubusan.
Sa kabila ng pagtutulungan
ay hindi naalis ang kontrob- ang pagtutulungan.
ersiya ,na ang pagkakaroon
ng Community Pantry ay “Noong sumikat yan at
nagtuturo lamang na mag- naipalabas sa TV tapos
ing tamad lalo ang mga nagkaroon din dito sa old
Pilipino sa paghahanap ng plaza mga teen ager pa
trabaho. ‘yung mga namimigay at
nagbabantay pumila ako
Hindi naman masama ang agad kasi malaking mal-
tumulong at magbigay ng aking tulong sa amin ang
tulong, ang masama ay ang makatanggap ng ganoo-
taw ang bayanihang nagpa-
sinasamantala ang pagtu- ng klase ng Ayuda lalo ka-
kita ng pagmamalasakit ka-
long at pagkakawang gawa. ming mag-asawa walang
hit pa hindi magkakadugo
ang bawat isa. Nagsimula pagkukunan ng pera” ani Fe
Nakalulungkot lamang Menes,residente ng Brgy.
ang community pantry sa
isipin na sa kabila ng ma- Guisguis.
Quezon City na nagbukas
gandang layunin ng pag-
sa mata ng marami na sa
babayanihan ay kaakibat “Masaya sa pakiramdam na
kabila ng delubyong ito ay
pa rin nito ang pagnana- kahit hindi gaanong mara-
lulutang pa rin ang kabaitan
sang makalamang. Hindi mi at simple lang ang laman
at pagmamalasakit sa bawat
pa rin naalis ang pagig- ng aming Pantry ay marami
Pilipino.
ing makasarili,na kahit pa kaming natulungan” saad
sa panahon ng pandemya ni Mia Pearl Militar isa sa
Maraming pamilya ang
kung saan ang lahat ay mga namuno sa Communi-
nakinabang ,natulungan,-
apektado ay nagagawa pa ty Pantry sa Brgy. Guisguis
natustusan ang pangan-
rin nating manloko. Old Plaza.
gailangan,naitawid ang
gutom ,napawi ang uhaw
Ayon pa kay Senator Grace Tayo man ay nasa gitna ng
at nabigyan ng pag-asa sa
Poe naging wake up call pandemya,hindi pa rin ta-
pamamagitan ng Commu-
ang Community Pantry sa laga mawawala ang pag-
nity Pantry. Sa pagsikat ng
kakulangan ng Gobyerno,- kakaisa at pagtutulungan,
bayanihang ito sumunod na
na dinagdagan pa ni Sen- dahil si Juan dela Cruz kahit
ang ibang “pakulo” ng ibat-
ator Lacson sa kaniyang kailan ay hindi nagdamot
ibang tao lalo na ang mga
paglalarawan na “despera- kaya kung kaisa sa layuning
artista upang makatulong
do na ang taumbayan” . ito , tumulong ka ng bukal
sa panahon ng Pandemya.
Mayroon mang nagla- sa kalooban at makiisa sa
basang kontrobersiya ay bayanihan para sa bayan ni
Sa kabila ng pagbabayani-
hindi pa rin naman natinag Juan.
han ay hindi maiiwasan
ang mamamayan sa kanil-
ang manlamang, mayroong
 On requiring vaccination for DepEd teachers
viewpoints
Anne Kaye Pulido – Martinez
Teacher III
Candelaria School of Fisheries
vider, will not end at our own
comforts. As an educator, we
took an oath to protect this
nation in which we can par-
take in ensuring that the gov-
ernment policies to safeguard
the mere sanctity of our ex-
“ If we want to really
live freely and to enjoy
what we have enjoyed
years before, then it’s
time to act.
It was mid-2021 when Department of Education issued DM istence be followed. It is why normal trend, we must bear
028, s. 2021 stating that all implementing agencies, regional and we wear our uniforms, and it is in mind that education should
local task force, and vaccination operations centers (VOC) are the reason why we are keep- surpass and succeed before all
mandated to adopt and implement the IATF recommendation ing our license. these.
to have everyone, teaching and non-teaching, be vaccinated in As of this time there still a In Zambales alone, the cas-
response to the call for national immunity to COVID-19. number of unvaccinated em- es of COVID-19 infection are
ployees in the schools division gradually decreasing as evi-
Teachers and non-teaching our commitment when we and this could hinder the di- dent to the report given to us
who are working hand in hand took an oath to become this vision to move forward with by the provincial government.
to serve our learners are then nation’s educator, it is our the gradual opening of class- Moreover, the permission
considered and identified as prime responsibility to adhere es, although some schools are granted to us by this province
frontline personnel thereby to this call. Yet even when a already piloting in welcoming to hold limited face-to-face
given us priority in the list to lot of department orders and back the learners. A delay in classes is an indicator that we
be vaccinated. It is because memoranda were issued, and the opening of the limited are winning this war of getting
this nation deemed it neces- despite of giving us options face to face classes could also back our learners to school.
sary to still educate the youth, on vaccines branding, there be considered as delay in re- The sad part is, there are still
in spite and despite of this are still employees who aren’t alizing this country’s goal of some, among us who can’t fol-
hurdle. As Sec. Bri- obeying this call. As if health is herd immunity. low. And as the consequence
ones once said, “Ed- not their prime wealth. While the rest of the world and
opinion

to their actions, some col-

ucation must contin- It must be understood that the entirety of the Philippines

14
leagues, school officials and
ue”. our responsibility being a part seemingly live under the new schools are hand-tied in im-
And so, as part of of the education service pro-
ON REQUIRING PAGE 15

For the love of youth and country

Ricky Torres Lansang
fer. Because of this, they fought
Distance learning was tough for everyone involved. Administrators,
through the tiredness and stress
teachers, and students alike faced a lot of difficulties along the way.
to deliver quality learning.
But as face-to-face classes kick off in many parts of the country, it is
time to look back and recall how we responded to this new system.
“Of course, we had a lot of prob-
It may not have been perfect, but we did our best to bridge the gap.
lems as well. But I guess that is
VOL X natural. As they always say, no
No. 01 gled to learn new platforms and one is perfect.”
“You can’t really expect us to
methods. They looked for ideas
get things perfect right out of
everywhere. They listened to the He recalled how they struggled
the gate,” said Mr. L, a teacher
Department of Education, asked to design the first modules and
who preferred not to be named.

“
The COVID-19 was a huge
crisis, and distance learn-
ing demanded a lot from
us. We are here, tired of
almost two years without
face-to-face classes. Yet
also, we are here, and we
have done the best we can
to bridge the gap.
for help from their colleagues, a lot of the processes were not
He recalled the start of the
and some even attended online yet ironed out. Obviously, he
pandemic, and how everyone
courses to get a better under- said, everyone was still adjust-
was scrambling to make things
standing of distance teaching. ing to pandemic life, but they all
work.
knew that they had to be quick.
“Ang hirap ng adjustment. But
Teachers, he said, were thinking
we managed, because we knew “The worst thing about it was
of all kinds of ways to teach their
it was it is for the kids.” the COVID scare. Ang dami
students despite the pandemic.
The older teachers – naturally kong kakilala na nagka-COVID.
They understood that if they Nakakatakot yun.”
not as tech-savvy as new ones –
failed to teach well, the stu-
were the worst off as they strug-
dents would be the ones to suf- Several teachers from the di-
FOR THE LOVE PAGE 15
 opinion
FROM PAGE 14 ON REQUIRING
plementing this policy. responsibility to commit our- it is but liberating to ensure

If we want to really live free-
ly and to enjoy what we have
enjoyed years before, then it’s
time to act. True enough, it is
the employees’ prerogative
if they want to be vaccinated
or not, yet we also must bear
in mind that before freedom,
there lies responsibility, our
selves in DepEd’s mandate to
deliver quality and liberating
education. Our responsibility
to commit in truth, that as ed-
ucators, we must be the role
model to believe consistently
to our government and our
responsibility to health and
safety, that as a social being,
15
health and safety of our learn-
ers, the work force, and the
community.
We dare to act now, or that
time will never come. As the
saying that goes “the best time
to plant trees was 20 years
ago and the second-best time
to plant is NOW’.

IN THE WAR CALLED WORK-FROM-HOME

straightforward With high hopes in
Jessica Jesusa Español Nequinto
Administrative Officer II
Candelaria School of Fisheries
COVID-19’s global outbreak has crossed
the peaceful and beautiful geographical
territory of Zambales and made serious
impact to its educational sector. The threat
of the phenomenal virus caused series of
transformations in the different sectors of
social, labor, economic life and education.
Not only did it bring temporary closure of
schools for teachers and learners but be-
stowed tremendous challenges especially
to the educators and education-support
groups. For almost two years, the Schools
Division of Zambales had put strategies like
work-from-home scheme to control the
transmission of the disease.
Consequently, education profes-
sionals were sent to face a silent fight in
the battlefield towards new circumstances
with a few difficulties and stress – they call
it, work-from-home. It’s like going out for
war in a frantic and abrupt way for the sake
of winning the education against the odds
of pandemic. This might also be compared
to a paradigm shift from the comfort of
physically working together into online and
isolated workspaces in the corners of em-
ployees’ houses.
Work-from-home is a fight with
exceptional changes and unprecedented
encounters. Somehow, it may favor the
general at the beginning. Nonetheless, it
becomes chaos as it will eat up time, per-
sonal space and leaves the person techni-
cally starved being away from the super-
visors. This battle revolves in the vision of
successful projects and continuous op-
“
every DepEd Zam-
bales staff, soon all
school gates will be
totally unlocked.
erations of the schools division regardless of
the barriers of distant working. Although this
emergency initiative of the government has
promoted work flexibility, less absenteeism,
work autonomy, it still has cons which makes
this battle seem difficult to conquest. Employ-
ees are like soldiers being counterattacked
with internet connection problems, physical
inactivity, and stress from technological de-
pendency and invasion to their personal life.
These are just some of the problems which add
to the weight that every employee is carrying
out in undertaking their tasks. Moreover, more
of the employees are either parents or some-
body who co-live with their families. This also
adds to the pressure of completing their as-
signments done on time when personal issues
and domestic distractions break in. Focus and
solitude workplace, which evidently an effec-
tive component to a good actual outcome, is
very difficult to attain in case you are a parent
who from time-to-time has to attend to your
family needs when working at home, neither if
you are at home taking care of your old folks
and at the same time you have to be inten-
sively focused on your report. And that silent
fight became a big question for each employ-
ee’s emotional state, mental well-being and
productivity. By that time, stress and demo-
tivation started to darken the cloud of hope
and positive work culture. Employees’ anxiety
slowly began to ruffle due to change in work
condition and adjustments. Indeed, it’s a silent
fight for almost of the personnel that needs at
least a tap of hope and encouragement.
And so before energy will be drained
for this long silent combat, God has finally un-
IN THE WAR PAGE 16
VOL X
No. 01
FROM PAGE 14 FOR THE LOVE
vision were quarantined because
of COVID-19, exposed because of
their jobs. It was a difficult time for
everyone, and every teacher was
afraid that they brought it home
to their families. Still, the teaching
force made it through.
“Despite all of these hiccups, here
we are, better and stronger than
ever.”
More than two years after the first
community quarantines started,
schools are opening and kids are
coming back to the classroom.
While it was a hard time, one can-
not erase the massive effort that
teachers exerted to teach stu-
dents despite the circumstances.
It seemed like an impossible task,
but in the end, we can once again
say that anything is possible when
we are dedicated to our craft.
The COVID-19 was a huge crisis,
and distance learning demanded a
lot from us. We are here, tired of
almost two years without face-to-
face classes. Yet also, we are here,
and we have done the best we can
to bridge the gap.
Now, as progressive face-to-face
classes commence, we face new
daunting challenges. But just like
distance learning, we know that
we will be triumphant here as well.
opinion

16
FROM PAGE 15 IN THE WAR
raveled the curtain – a sign that
the war will soon end. The light
of going back to normal work
arrangement will be set again.
As the level of risk continues to
drop, the warriors of education
of Zambales are beginning to
raise the flag of triumph. As of
now, 80% are allowed to work
on site, four times a week. Early
VOL X as may claim, but with convic-
No. 01 tion, they will get there. With
high hopes in every DepEd
Zambales staff, soon all school
gates will be totally unlocked.
Lights in every school buildings
will be lit again. How sweet will
it be to hear once again the
taps of fingers in every key-
board as everybody is drooled
in preparing their tasks in the
fulfillment of their promised
excellent public service. The
sweet sound of laughter, small-
talks and physical bonds will
live throughout the schools
division. Job satisfaction and
motivation will momentarily
increase once again.
May all continue to
pray more and wrestle hard-
er so the day will once more
arrive that this silent fight we
now have, be declared forev-
er silent and done.

Despite the invisible enemy

“
Anne Kaye Pulido – Martinez
“Education must continue.” This is the famous line of Sec. Leonor M. Briones upon which the
But then, we faced DepEd is still carrying out, in the service of the Filipino youth. And although it may seem that
the grandest and the it is impossible for education to really continue, educators have devised so many strategies to
worst challenge there bring this battle cry into reality.
is- COVID-19!
I remember the old days when
teachers will have to dress up
We got frightened.
We got confused. We and be our best selves be-
cause we will have to face our
were at a loss. Not audience- the students: teach-
knowing how we can ing them of the wonders and
survive, or will we miracles of this life, from the
ever survive? first bud blossoming from the
plant to the mythical creatures they can just imagine in their
minds. Yes, we had our time. We went to a binge and taught
them not only lessons coming from the books but wisdom of
daily living. It was indeed glorious for teachers to express them-
selves within the four-walls of the classrooms. And although, we
are oftentimes heard saying that we are fed-up of the way we
are being treated, we still moved forward and greeted each day
with the best that we can be.

But then, we faced the grandest and the worst challenge there
is- COVID-19!

We got frightened. We got confused. We were at a loss. Not

knowing how we can survive, or will we ever survive?
We were flagged with questions of how it will be for education
to continue, as we know that education can make or break a
nation.
And that was the time when we heard it. “Education must con-
tinue”! It should continue for the benefit of today’s children.
It is a known fact that the world evolves and that we must be
able to cope with the fast-changing world. Hence, different
modalities of learning were encapsulated and implemented to
better serve our clients. We utilized blended learning, adopted
home schooling for modular approach and even involved ICT
platforms, all for the attainment of our main goal-to educate
our learners.
Schools and school personnel had been resourceful and im-
bibed the new normal trend of teaching. Indeed, rising above
this challenge made us a strong believer that if we are passion-
ate to attaining our goal, then the impossible becomes possible.
Years ago, when we always hear that educators are the unsung
heroes of the world, yet some people are always seemingly ask-
ing for some sort of validation. In this era where we are consid-
ered David facing a Goliath called COVID, educators are moved
to act with such vigor and zeal so that we will be victorious.
DESPITE PAGE 17

On the importance of upskilling
and reskilling of teachers
our two cents
Vilma M. Arfapo
Master Teacher I
Amungan National High School
“A good teacher is similar to a good investment as it
gives us the right seed to sow, and it gives us ample
opportunity to grow”.
Indeed, this line bespeaks
of giving more opportu-
nities in upskilling and re-
skilling of teachers which is
an important avenue to de-
velop more equipped and
highly proficient teachers.
This method of improv-
ing our heroes in the field
of teaching and learning
is given emphasis by the
Department of Education
despite the health crisis we
are facing brought about
by the pandemic.
We teachers are being mo-
tivated and encouraged to
actively participate in vari-
ous webinars (seminars on
websites) and trainings to
enhance and deepen our
knowledge in escalating
our knowledge and
skills to be more
competent
teach-
ers. We learn to maximize
the use of our cellphones,
laptops and other gadgets
and we learned to connect
to professional links to
continue learning.
From the usual face-to-
face trainings held in
schools, hotels,resorts,
and other areas with ideal
ambiance turned into the
virtual platform where we
learn to manipulate MS
Teams and GoogleMeet.
We learned to open
our cameras and
audio when we
share ideas,
write
“
As the teachers im-
proved, they can also
improve student lives
in myriad ways. They
improve teaching
methods and tech-
niques that will help
learning outcomes of
the learners.
comments and sugges-
tions in the chat box, share
various emoticons, voting
pools, fill in the attendance
and send required outputs
in links and many more.
Despite the chal-
lenge of pandemic time,
teachers are brave enough
to embrace the technology
resulting to a more chanc-
es of improving their craft
as teachers. As the De-
partment of Education in-
vest on teachers upskilling
and reskilling, we are like
chosen seeds to sow, we
also have more chances to
grow professionally. Thus,
we can prepare our learn-
ers holistically developed
ready to face the world.
As the teachers
improved, they can also
improve student lives in
myriad ways. They improve
teaching methods and
techniques that will help
learning outcomes of the
learners. We prepare the
youngsters to be ready in
facing their future equip-
ping them with vast of
knowledge, right attitude,
and life-skills that they can
use as they get into the real
world.
opinion
17
VOL X
No. 01
FROM PAGE 16 DESPITE
These days, we teachers
wear not only our uniforms
but our spirit believing that
nothing is impossible if we
only envision the limitless
possibilities of growing
and learning. We are not
confined anymore to our
four walled classroom, but
we have learned that we
have a great stage called
the world. Nowadays, we
not only teach from books
and wisdom from experi-
ences, but we teach them
to hope for better days and
we live as an inspiration
that life should be looked
forward. We may not be
able to hold them physical-
ly, but we hold the world’s
most precious gems-the
future and our learners.
It is said that heroes are
made not when the con-
dition is good and smooth
but when impossibilities
of action are evident. True
enough, we succeeded
in heeding our battle cry.
Education has continued,
proving that whatever
comes our way, we, teach-
ers, are the warriors of the
future.