Safe Return to Schools
It’s been two (2) years since the education sector adopted several learning modalities to replace face-to-face (F2F) classes and to cope with the challenge of the current global health crisis. University administration, students, and teachers experienced different hardships with the shift in our mode of learning.
As we are getting used to and, at some point, comfortable with our asynchronous and synchronous classes, we are here again, slowly shifting to another mode of learning as educational institutions gradually open their doors to the limited F2F classes.
The ongoing development in managing the COVID-19 pandemic in the country raises the possibility of limited F2F classes. As per the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said that limited F2F classes for all degree programs would be allowed soon. With these developments, the education sector will once again face different challenges to make limited F2F classes possible.
As Northwestern University prepares for this, it is only natural to assure the students’ safety as they return to campus. The health and well-being of the students must be the priority of our institution in making preparations for this.
As the students’ voice, we are here to amplify and stand for the students’ rights in ensuring the safe return of the students to the university.
A high percentage of vaccinated students is needed to ensure that every student on campus is equipped with the necessary protection against the virus. The university requires a strong partnership with the government health units to roll out vaccination drives for students.
However, vaccination must not be a requirement for the limited F2F classes. The university must not force students to be vaccinated against their will. Instead, the university must organize a stronger vaccination information campaign to encourage more students to take their vaccine. Also, the university must help students acquire affordable yet efficient health insurance.
The university must prepare adequate retrofitted facilities, which are essential to ensure that students learn in a safe and conducive environment. Instead of air conditioning units, additional ceiling and exhaust fans are needed for ventilation and good air circulation inside the classrooms. Also, alcohol dispensers and additional wash areas must be available around the campus and inside the classrooms.
Different markings and posters around the campus are also needed to ensure that the health protocols and guidelines will be strictly followed. Aside from that, emergency drills and simulations for the faculty members, students, and non-academic staff are needed to ensure the readiness of everyone for the different circumstances that might happen in the conduct of limited F2F classes.
Proper coordination with the local government units is also needed as other students from outside Ilocos Norte will enter the province. The university must extend assistance to every student who enters the province for the limited F2F classes. Accreditation of dormitories is also needed to ensure that the students will be safe living in the different dormitories around the university.
Also, continuous updates and development in the university’s student portal and other online platforms are beneficial for students to minimize F2F transactions and bring the student services closer to the studentry. Aside from that, improvement in online processes and guidelines for the different student services is needed.
Since there are only specific priority programs for the limited F2F classes, the university must allow other students to fully access the different learning facilities. These include computer laboratories and the Educational Resources Center (ERC), which are beneficial to students regardless of learning modality.
Finally, as most of the students will still be under distance learning, a long-term plan to implement #AcademicEase and include #AcademicBreaks in the university calendar are beneficial to everyone.
We respectfully request that Northwestern University ensure the safe return of the students to the university. Also, to improve the guidelines for distance learning to provide a conducive and healthy environment for students and teachers. The Review, the official student publication of Northwestern University, will always stand up for students, uphold our rights, promote our welfare, and amplify our voice.
