Winakasan ng isang estudyante sa high school sa bayan ng Sto. Domingo sa Albay ang kanyang sariling buhay matapos na mamroblema sa gastusin para sa online classes nito sa gitna ng nararanasang pandemya dulot ng COVID-19.
Natagpuan ng kanyang kapatid na nakabigti ang biktima sa maliit na kubo malapit sa bahay nito sa Bgy. Fidel Surtida bandang alas-singko ng madaling-araw noong Hunyo 16.
Ayon sa ina ng estudyante, inirereklamo ng kanyang anak ang pambayad ng load para sa internet connection na kailangan sa online class.
Kinumpirma naman ni Department of Education (DepEd) Bicol regional director Gilbert Sadsad ang insidente at ikinalulungkot aniya ito ng kagawaran.
“We have been informed that a learner of Sto. Domingo National High School died in a small hut near their home in Barangay Fidel Surtida on June 16, 2020 allegedly because he was distressed by the “online classes," ani Sadsad.
Sinabi pa ni Sadsad na ang 19-anyos na lalaki ay Balik-Aral learner na nakatakda na sanang mag-enroll sa Grade 9 sa Sto. Domingo National Highschool ngayong pasukan.
Nabatid pa kay Sadsad na binabalak na nilang mabigyan ng psycho-social consultation ang mga kapatid at iba pang miyembro ng pamilya ng estudyante.
“As soon as we learned of the incident, we notified the Schools Division Superintendent of Albay, and requested her to speak with the family of our learner as well as conduct a validation of the circumstances relative to the incident. Once we receive the Incident Report from the SDO of Albay, we will respond with the necessary actions for the victim and his family. We will also be sending our personnel who can provide pyscho-social intervention to his siblings who might also be learners of our schools in Sto. Domingo. We will also coordinate with the DSWD for any psycho-social aid and assistance for the bereaved family,” pahayag ni Sadsad.
Kasabay nito, siniguro ng DepEd Bicol na magiging flexible o mas maluwag ito sa pagpapatupad ng blended learning upang makasunod at matugunan ng mga mag-aaral at guro ang mga hamon sa sistema ng edukasyon sa gitna ng national health crisis.
“We cannot discount the fact that we also have to consider the extreme vulnerability of our learners to depression and emotional breakdowns. Thus, we will see to it that before the opening of classes on August 24, proper psycho-social activities will be provided to our learners, teachers, and personnel to ensure sound mental and emotional conditions as we continue to adapt to the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic," ayon pa kay Sadsad.
Muli ring iginiit ni Sadsad na ang online learning ay hindi pangunahing konsiderasyon ng DepEd Bicol dahil pupuwede pa ring gumamit ng printed learning materials na ipadadala sa mga mag-aaral.