Briones questioned by CEGP over claim of ‘great victory’ on school opening after student reportedly commits suicide after struggling with modules

The College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), an alliance of tertiary student publications and student journalists nationwide, asked the Department of Education (DepEd) once more if they still consider the opening of schools a victory after a student from South Cotabato supposedly took his own life after struggling with modules.

Photo credit: philstar.com

On Monday, Education Secretary Leonor Briones welcomed the school year during the National School Opening Day Program, saying that the department will not allow COVID-19 to destroy the children's education and future and claimed that the school opening during the coronavirus pandemic was a great victory. 

Despite the presence of the virus, DepEd decided to continue the students’ education and shifted to distance/blended learning. However, a lot of students and groups including CEGP believe that the school year should have been suspended first.

Kamakailan lamang ay may isang 16 anyos na mag-aaral mula sa Tupi, South Cotabato ang nagpatiwakal dahil sa dinadaing nitong kahirapan ng sa asignaturang Matimatika na mas lalo pang pinahirap ng kasalukuyang sitwasyon ng edukasyon sa ating bansa,

CEGP said in a statement.

[Recently there were reports that a 16-year-old learner from Tupi, South Cotabato committed suicide because it experienced hardships in a Mathematics subject, which is further worsened by the current education system in the country.]

Kung sina Briones ay nagpupugay na sa paglulunsad ng pagbabalik eskwela, maituturing ba talaga itong tagumpay kung isa-isa nang binabawian ng buhay ang ating mga mag-aaral? 

it asked.

[If Briones is celebrating the opening the opening of classes, can we really consider this a victory if students one by one commit self-harm?]

Briones found herself at the end of criticisms about what she said in the opening of classes. It earned negative reactions from student groups whose members felt it would be better to forego the whole school year and focus on economic recovery and education accessibility first.

Briones clarified on Monday that her declaration of victory was meant for groups pushing for an academic freeze, or the suspension of the current school year.

For its part, DepEd’s Schools Division of South Cotabato has extended its condolences to the family of the student, with Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Ruth Estacio assuring in a statement that they will conduct a probe on the incident.

The division and school officials are currently coordinating with law enforcement and the student’s family members for a speedy and impartial investigation on the matter,

Estacio said.

The Schools Division of South Cotabato would like to request for everyone to respect the privacy of the family during this very difficult and unfortunate time,

she added.

A lot of students are struggling with the new methods of learning. CEGP said that it is unthinkable how government officials manage to disregard even knowing that fact.

Sa ganitong kalagayan ng edukasyon sa ating bansa, paano natitiis ng mga kasalukuyang nakaupo na marinig ang mga ganitong balita at magkaroon pa ng lakas ng loob na magsabing tayo ay nanalo na sa laban sa gitna ng pandemya?

CEGP asked again.

[In this state of education in our country, how can those who are sitting endure hearing such news and still have the courage to say that we have won the battle in the midst of the pandemic.]

Kung patuloy itong mangyayari at hahayaan lamang, hinding hindi magiging epektibo ang pag-aaral sa ganitong paraan at mas lalo lamang mawawalan ng interes ang karamihan na magpatuloy sa pag-aaral na maaring magpababa ng kalidad ng edukasyon sa ating bansa,

it noted.

[If these incidents continue and are merely brushed aside, the current methods of studying would never be effective and students would only lose interest in studying, which will lower the quality of education in the country.]

The groups shout for academic freeze not only because of unstable internet connections or lack of gadget but for students’ mental health status.

Even the World Health Organization warned the possible increase of mental illnesses, as the pandemic has taken a huge toll on mental health.

Long before the class opening, several reports have already made out, some students engaging in self-harm out of frustration with the educational system.  

Both DepEd and the Commission on Higher Education have expressed concern over these issues, however, not one has moved to suspend the current school year.