There’s hope for education’s challenging realities
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The nearly 10 million students that have been enrolled for this coming school year in the Philippines clearly showed how determined parents are to see their children get back to learning. Behind this very enthusiastic response, however, are challenges that students are likely to face with new and emerging practices in education.
![UNICEF supports the Department of Education to ensure that all children can continue learning in the new normal ©UNICEF/UN014974/Estey](http://images.gmanews.tv/webpics/2020/06/640_shop2give1_students_2020_06_26_19_58_14.jpg)
Teachers need to learn anew
The rapid spread of the pandemic caused the ensuing school closures on a massive scale. The closure of schools in turn has brought classes into the online space very quickly. However, for most students and teachers, the shift to a digital learning space was without sufficient preparation.
How lessons are taught affects how a student learns, and in the current state of education, many teachers may not yet be adept at online teaching. This is especially true in the handling of young children and in teaching courses with extensive skills application. Not all schools are prepared for this new online system. Many schools need to train teachers to be more acquainted with the digital space and how it works, so that students can learn with more ease. Fortunately for the teachers and the students, the Department of Education formulated a simplified curriculum for better online teaching.
Access to education is going online
While the Department of Education’s stripped down curriculum will surely make remote learning more plausible, with classes being held online and learning materials readily available for download, there still exist the problem of the poor Internet infrastructure of the country. In a country with very limited internet capacity and accessibility, online classes and resources may still not be possible for many students. According to the UNICEF Philippines operational response plan, around 28 million children will not be able to access online classes and resources because of these limitations.
In assisting with decreasing the challenges posed on learners, UNICEF is receiving support from Unilever’s Shop2Give Hope sale. Unilever teams up with Lazada for the annual Shop2Give sale, this time to give hope to the Filipino youths who desire a proper education despite the obstacles.
“Shop2Give Hope is a purpose-driven initiative built on our belief in the power of collective action and shared advocacy. Lazada and UNICEF have supported us for the past two runs and with this renewed partnership, we are focused on enabling alternative education”, shares Benjie Yap, Unilever Philippines’ Chairman and CEO.
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Enjoy discounts on your favorite Unilever brands like Cream Silk, Dove, Breeze, Knorr, and more starting July 1, 2020. You can add your essentials to your Lazada cart as early as June 28 and help support the essential education of Filipino youths. “The proceeds from this initiative will boost our efforts to ensure children continue their education by providing learning resources, and developing online platforms and strategies for those children and families without connectivity at home,” says Isy Faingold, Chief of Education of UNICEF Philippines.
Aside from all-day discounts, limited edition bundles, and vouchers, participating in the sale also gives you a chance to win one of five Learn-From-Home packages which include a laptop, study table, ergonomic chair, and a year’s supply of Unilever products.
Hope can still be abundant for every Filipino student with your help. Shop to give hope on July 1.