In the year 2020, everyone was challenged and affected by a contagious disease – a deadly coronavirus or also known as the Covid-19 disease. Everything – the world perhaps seemed to stop in just a snap by this disease. All sector, especially education was badly affected. Loss of job opportunities and income became the biggest challenge during the pandemic. Men and women were equally affected by income and job losses. Covid-19 has taken as well a heavy toll on rural livelihoods. There were many concerns especially on health and vaccines, though the main challenge during the peak of the pandemic was the lack of medical supplies and PPEs for the frontliners.
Fast forward to these days, everything almost seems back to normal. It’s been three long years ever since we started wearing a facemask, and it has been part of our daily lives now. We will be experiencing a lot of changes and adjustments for now, but how long will it take for us to adjust to the new normal?
The Philippines has decided unlike most other countries to keep schools closed for another year. The opening of schools this year, 2022 is unstoppable as the Covid-19 cases decrease and the government places more areas in the country under lower risk. The Department of Education has already released the guidelines for the school year 2022-2023, school calendar, and activities. The start of the classes is on August 2022 and will end on July 7, 2023. The school year shall consist of 215 school days, hence due to unforeseen circumstances along the way, there might be further issuance/s of changes in the school calendar. Each quarter has 11 weeks covered. On the other hand, the 2023-2024 school year was projected to start on August 28, 2023. The new normal will be having no tools, inspections, or any additional requirements to implement and re-open the schools for five (5) days of required face-to-face classes in the Philippines for the year 2022-2023.
Is it safe to go back to school for children? The schools are not the main drivers of Covid-19 transmission, as the data shows. Back-to-school season is here, ready or not. Face-to-face classes 2022 in the Philippines were about to start, do you already think of the back-to-school Covid-19 essentials that are best for your child? Here are some of the back-to-school covid essentials that will help your child to keep them safe from Covid-19 and other illnesses.
Mask or face covering – spare masks. It is advisable if you prepare a facemask clip or lanyard as well for your children so that they will just put their masks down, and not put ting it somewhere else.
Alcohol or hand sanitizer to sanitize their hands wherever they go.
Tissues or disinfecting wipes.
Reusable water bottle.
School supplies – Now that face-to-face classes in 2022 are about to start why is it considered as back-to-school covid essentials? Covid-19 can be transferred through direct contact. So, it is advisable if your children have their things. Have school supplies list that you should buy for your children before the start of school year. If you haven’t prepared a list yet, here are the following school supplies list that your children must have depending on their grade or year level:
pencils
pencil sharpener
ballpens
scissors
crayons
ruler
envelope
folder
pad paper
notebook
eraser
correction tape
backpack
But then, aside from these back-to-school covid essentials that your child needs upon returning to the back-to-school or face-to-face setup, what are the negative effects of prolonged school closures on children, and what are the benefits would school re-opening to provide?
Negative effects of prolonged school closures on your child
Lack of in-person interaction has tremendously impacted your child's cognitive and emotional development. Interaction contributes a lot to child development. As young as possible, don’t let your children miss an opportunity for interaction. School closure and distance learning can cause delays competency development of your child and might cause a serious impact on quality learning.
Children without internet access are missing out on learning. In person, classes will never be replaced by distance learning. There’s a study that under distance learning modalities, children are learning less. Even though you as a parent are spending more time guiding and teaching your child on their modules, they were learning less in distance learning compared to traditional in-person learning.
Out-of-school children are more vulnerable to different circumstances such as child labor, early marriage, and teenage pregnancy. The longer your children are out of school, it’ll affect their mindset to get interested and return.
The safety and well-being, development, and physical and mental health of your children are highly at risk. Everyone’s physical and mental health is important and matters. The longer the schools are closed, the higher the risk for your children's psychological and mental health will be at risk.
Contrary to the negative effects mentioned above of prolonged school closures on your child, having an interaction is one of the benefits that has a good effect on your child once the in-person classes started again. There are so many benefits to mention, yet one of the most important is the development of your child’s personality and well-being.
Moreover, aside from the back-to-school Covid-19 essentials and school supplies list that you have to keep in mind, you have to start the preparation for your home, especially for those who are incoming or current college students for them to learn how to be independent and started facing the challenges of life. Condo living is one of the essential things you should consider especially when you are schooling at the university belt or in Quezon City.
Vista Residences offers ready-for-occupancy condos in Quezon City. This city has a lot of essential things to offer. Hospitals, wellness centers, and supermarkets where you can buy all your needs and make your life easier and convenient. Aside from this, there are many opportunities you will encounter in the city. Condo living has many perks and benefits, but the most important thing is that health always comes first before anything else, especially these days, so that makes a better choice on choosing a property that will help you grow as an individual and life convenient.