A Call for Understanding

This is not to subtly issue insults or express utter disapproval to people who wield their educational sword to students who aim to be filled with knowledge in trying times like this. Hence, this is a call for the need of understanding and assistance to those who can barely lift their limbs as they are being tied down with pandemic’s veiny crisis hindering them from pursuing excellence in their studies properly.

Lack of empathy, perhaps, is actually ruining the environment of our current educational system that we have. It is actually a sensitive topic that most students are afraid to bring up. Yes, it is indeed easy to turn a blind eye or mind your own business when an educator unfairly treats our fellow students. Would you cower out of fear and preferably stay silent as you do not have enough guts to call out someone wherein our grade depends on? Of course, no one would do such. Moreover, nobody should actually have to.

The academic year has been pushed through, although it is evident enough that most Filipinos could not really afford education. Addendum, different phenomena have been putting us Filipinos into a more complicated situation, making it harder for our daily survival. However, being left behind is the last thing most students want to happen.

The process of imparting knowledge and the efforts of ensuring everything are being delivered well are highly appreciated. However, are we really being pampered enough?

When we take time to rest as our eyes were strained and our backs are aching, we are being told off as slacking. Furthermore, when we turn in our activities late due to unforeseen circumstances, we are deprived of the right to ask for another chance to make up. When we cannot attend our class for being located in a place where the signal is weak, why do we feel like we are not even being understood?

We are promised to have a comfortable learning environment to make up with the fear from the threat of COVID-19. Nevertheless, why is this equally scary and tormenting as the thought of being infected with the virus?

Do we really deserve to be treated with so much inconsideration and receive bashful words for things we did not intentionally do? Or were our hopes too high that we will be handled with care and utmost understanding?

It is actually frightening that queries are not really that welcome to be entertained. Asking for a little bit more consideration is not really available for the underprivileged. And…explaining your side is a sign of disrespect.

We step into an institution virtually where we should be safeguarded by the core values. We should be protected well and our rights, unharmed from unethical ways on the educational setting such as discouraging students on certain platform instead of resolving it properly, corrupting the right to demand a chance for students who missed their quizzes or activities and telling them that they should have not enrolled this academic year given that they might be having trouble financially or doesn’t have enough means to accomplish activities or attend classes, knowing classes are being done asynchronous. Was it right, though, to make the class nearly unbearable for students?

We are not asking to be pampered like toddlers, but we ask for more considerate and soothing approach from whom we treat as our second parents. The blame does not fall solely to them; it’s just a matter of having empathy and more patience, and give and take process.

In such circumstance, communication should be a two-way process. Expressing oneself or what sometimes they take as ‘rants’ is not bad. However, it does not need to reach the point wherein a particular issue, instead of being appropriately resolved —ends up being the center of the debate, and respect is being thrown off, professionalism is being forgotten.

We are not demanding an ‘educational debate’ or argument. We are merely asking for a calm and proper discussion or negotiation to reach an alternative or ways to address issues. We honestly do not want them to feel we are attacking them or creating bad images that would harm their reputation as educators. We just want to explain ourselves clearly, and in return, we just want to be heard and feel that we are being considered.

Is it too much to ask?