An interview with OIC-Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Rubina M. Macabunar and her views of Education during the Pandemic.
In this time of calamity, there are so many things that we did not expect to come in our way. We did not imagine that our usual days will turn out to be like this. It is for almost 4 months that people have been staying and working at home. The CoVid-19 crisis surprised the whole world because of its unexpected consequences and effect on everyone. No one could ever say that they were prepared to respond to this pandemic. All of us are in a state of surprise and awe.
Education as a sector has been totally affected by the CoViD-19 pandemic where all school establishments had to stop the education of students at all levels. Even when we were already near the end of the school year, we had to consider the safety and security of the students, teachers, staff members and everyone.
Most of our educators and professors are still having a hard time to take action in response to the effects of the pandemic because of the sudden and unexpected stopping of classes. All of the schools and universities were unprepared and confused. What will our education system look like? What will happen to our students who are the future change makers and nation-builders?
Many of us might have a question in mind. How will the learning of our children be conducted? How can they continue to grow and develop optimally now that face-to-face teaching and learning process are now impossible?
MP Maisara’s team went to Malabang, Lanao del Sur to visit and interview one of the esteemed Bangsamoro educators: OIC-Schools Division Superintendent Rubina M. Macabunar, Lanao del Sur II District Superintendent. We asked her: “What are their preparations for education in this time of pandemic?
SDS Rubina answers, “As of now, we have enrolled the children through radiogram, text messages and Messenger. The others are using radiogram especially if the community cannot be reached even through Internet.” “For our employees, we divided them into five (5) groups. I am monitoring these five groups whenever I am available.”
“Part of our program is to monitor the establishment of PAC (Public Assistance Center). This center aims to have a smooth communication from our office to the different schools under LDS II. We monitor their queries and essential needs especially before the opening of school on August 24.”
SDS Rubina explains that they are preferring the “modular mode of instruction because we cannot do face-to-face learning. Parents do not like and students do not have two-way radio, not everyone can buy this.”
SDS Rubina’s advice to all parents of learners:
“As a mother, a teacher and a leader of this division, my advice for parents —because they are always with their children — is to provide reinforcement and supplemental learnings. We will give our students their modules, worksheets and assignments so we suggest that parents should help in their children’s homeschooling.”SDS Rubina thanked the Office of MP Maisara for visiting them and hoped that they can be given assistance on how they can best teach their students so their learning will not become stagnant.
