By: Mark Jason U. Dayao
APARRI, CAGAYAN—The learners of barangay Toran, Aparri, Cagayan have a new classroom but instead of being located inside the Aparri School of Arts and Trades campus, it can be found inside their family compound and their classmates were their relatives and neighbors.
The school-in-a-compound aims to improve the learners’ academic performance through collaborative learning as they answer their modules. This also aims to reduce the stress felt by students in the distance learning modality.
The monitoring team of the school consisting of advisers and subject teachers, who visited the learners on the first week of classes, said that they were surprised upon seeing students living in a compound studying together.
“Some of my students told me that they miss having their classmates around. I suggested to them that they can study with their relatives since most people in their barangay are kins. I never expected that they will take my suggestions to heart and study by group.” Mrs. Rogely Castillejo, a grade 7 adviser revealed.
One parent of the school Mrs. Mely R. Bitauag said she supported this set-up because students can help each other in understanding their lessons.
“We have six students who study in our house. All of them are my nieces and nephews. Studying by group enabled them to share ideas with each other. Moreover, they can also share among their group learning resources like tablets, cellphones and internet connection.” Mrs. Bitauag said.
“Because of the pandemic, I now understand the plight of teachers. I cannot imagine how they were able to teach 50 to 60 learners at a time. Here in our house, I only help 6 learners in their lessons, yet I always feel exhausted at the end of the day. I really admire the teachers for their sacrifices.” she added.
Meanwhile, another parent of the school Mrs. Marivic Acasili also shared her thoughts about the school-in-a-compound set-up. According to her, studying alone can be very boring at times that is why she invited some of her neighbors to study together with his son Prince Maverick.
“As a teenager, sometimes my son got bored in studying alone so I am glad that he had study buddies now. They help each other in answering their modules. Whenever they do not understand their lessons, I always lend them my phone so they could search the internet or call their subject teachers.” Mrs. Acasili said.#