Parents as New Frontliners of Education: Their Role to Students’
Learning in the New Normal
Christian L. Salazar1*, Anna-May C. Aboloc1
1 Secondary School Teacher III, Tandag National Science High School, Tandag City, Philippines
*Corresponding Author: christian.salazar@deped.gov.ph
Accepted: 15 February 2022 | Published: 1 March 2022
DOI:https://doi.org/10.55057/ajress.2022.4.1.8
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Abstract: This qualitative research using a phenomenological approach revealed the experiences of parents as they facilitate learning at home in times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The key informants of this study were the parents of Tandag National Science National High School. They were purposely chosen as those who are working and have spouses who were working too. To gather the data, one-on-one interviews were done. The results revealed that parents have done preparations in adjusting to the new learning process such as purchasing gadgets, accounting for the usability of gadgets, arranging a conducive learning environment, providing school supplies and snacks, and attending programs relative to the new normal learning. By doing these preparations, will allow learners to learn better. As parents facilitate learning at home, they built rules for learners to follow, utilized the internet as a source of information, helped the learners understand difficult topics, sought help from a more knowledgeable person and minded the health condition of the learners. Knowing how to facilitate learning at home would prevent learners to have stress. The results of the study further revealed that having parents as facilitators of learning at home has its own advantages which include stronger family bonds, increased parental involvement in students’ learning, and developing learners’ independence. On the other hand, it has also its own disadvantages which include a lack of time management to meet the demands of work and learners’
educational needs and a lack of parent pedagogical content knowledge. The study further revealed that when it comes to programs and mechanisms the parents emphasized the importance of teachers’ constant communication, convenience, and accessibility of digital module, fostering teachers’ approachability, effective monthly update meeting of students’
progress, and involvement of subject teachers in monitoring tools.
Keywords: parental involvement, new frontliners, facilitators, new normal
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1. Introduction
As the whole world embraces the new normal environment because of the COVID-19 pandemic, one angle that must be considered is the role of parents who serve as the front liners in continuing their children’s education. They have been involved to sustain the needs of their kin in comprehending their learning materials. Nowadays, it is not safe to go to school outside.
This is because of the threat of being infected by the deadly disease. Hence, as an alternative, the mode of relaying lessons led to mandatory remote teaching (Kaur, 2020). However, various aspects are now triggered by this especially in the education sector. With that being said, the department is now considered one of the most negatively affected because of its uncertain effect on the knowledge retention of the learners (Lansangan & Gonzales, 2020).
According to Finn (2019), the participation of parents in their children’s education yields a positive contribution in honing their performances in school. Despite not having a familiar classroom atmosphere, parents still provide in-depth perspectives as they take part in their education. Thus, it is undeniable that parents have a great influence on them (Fitriani, 2019).
Yet, they not only spend time with their kin every single tick of the clock. Parents need to do their responsibilities as financial providers to survive day by day. As a result, some are busy- bee to earn money which is paramount in today’s situation for survival.
Recent researches on the new normal education are mostly focused on the side of students.
Where in fact, parents too have great involvement with their children’s acquisition of knowledge. They have a pivotal role in the growth of their children and that should thrive in this time of crisis. Good parenting approaches can be influential to have an effective remote education of the home-based students who are currently exposed to anxiety because of the pandemic-related happenings in their surroundings (Wang et al., 2020).
The aforementioned citations are just some of the many statements published that the new normal has brought to the parents and students. Indeed, there is a need to address the sides of parents for the relative agencies and offices to be aware. Since remote learning is in effect amidst this pandemic, they, as part of the members of the family, take part in educating their children (Ancho, 2020). Thereby, we were determined to explore the parents’ preparations, way of facilitating, experienced pros and cons during their assistance. We were also aiming to know their opinions regarding the programs or mechanisms that the schools must implement in ameliorating the institution’s system in this new normal education. With their ideas, we were able to form an intervention program as an output of this study.
2. Literature Review
COVID 19 is now the virus that puts the world's health and the economy at risk. This has also caused schools to adapt to a new normal (a lockdown mode) in aid to mitigate the virus from spreading (Shang et al., 2020). The education sector is also negatively affected, and schools around the world find it hard to adjust. This type of setting result in schools shifting from traditional face to face set up to remote learning, a type of learning where parents and guardians were more involved and were given more responsibility (Garbe, et. al., 2020).
Parents are now given an additional role. Aside from balancing their work, they are now also responsible as teachers of their child (Fischer et al., 2020). With this, parents are struggling to balance the responsibilities, learner motivation, accessibility, and learning outcomes (Garbe, et al., 2020). Though they find it hard to balance the tasks, still parents are quickly embracing the new normal learning to fill the learning gap that their children are facing during this pandemic.
Measures were also taken to give students essential learning at home (Bhamani, 2020).
According to Finn (2019), the participation of parents in their children’s education yield a positive contribution in honing their performances in school. Despite not having a familiar classroom atmosphere, parents still provide in-depth perspective as they take part towards their education. Thus, it is undeniable that parents have great influence to them (Fitriani, 2019). Yet, they not only spend time with their kin every single tick of the clock. Parents need to do their responsibilities as a financial provider in order to survive day by day. As a result, some are busy-bee to earn money which is paramount in today’s situation for survival.
The new setting can possibly be a great avenue to help strengthen the bond between the parents and their children (Masten and Motti-Stefandi, 2020). When they collaborate in doing activities and spend more time together, the parent-child bonding increases. Parents can also help their children emotionally by comforting them and supporting them in times of uncertainty (Wang et al., 2020).
Parents play a vital role in the education of their child/children, especially in this pandemic. In a study conducted by Kusumastuti (2020), parenting programs should be strengthened with the use of a comprehensive connecting sheet. To ensure that the learning process of the students could still go well, a comprehensive connecting sheet is one of the ways to reach the learning outcome of the students. This will be useful and a great alternative learning support.
One study found out that parents are not confident in teaching their child, mainly because of their competence and the solutions they adopt. Since they were not confident, they were worried about the future of their children (Parczewska, 2020). Some parents also find teaching stressful in explaining new topics to their children, but it helped them become more motivated to keep working so that their children can learn (Letzel, et al., 2020).
Although there are some of them who are eager to contribute and even if they only know about the basics; still, having certain relay of lessons is fundamental. Considering the notion too that not all parents have stable knowledge on the lessons because of the updated learning materials of their children. There can be misinterpretations and confusions that will happen whenever they try to help them with it. Hence, it is vital to have straight connections in the knowledge of the parents since they can impact their child’s schooling (Helker, 2020).
Parental education is also one of the factors influencing the students' academic performance.
Students whose parents have good academic background seem to have a better class standing than those students whose parents have a lower academic background (Bakar, 2017). One study also shows the advantage of students having parents that are interested in math. It reflects that parents that are interested and are good at mathematics tend to help their children perform better in school compared to the students whose parents have low to no interest in subjects like mathematics (University of Tubingen, 2017).
Ancho (2020) noted that the involvement of parents as one of the new teachers in the new normal era is important. In the case of its efficiency, not all of them can be as effective as the professional teachers are because there are students who tend to believe more on school educators than on their parents. The author also stated that parents have been uncomfortable with this system as it may lead to confusions and doubts within their children’s learning. This is also related to the recent endeavor where it eyes to know the parent’s perception in their preparation in handling the home-based teaching.
Moreover, Wang et al. (2020) identified parents as the “closest and best resource” for the students. On the other hand, their worries are still there since its challenges are becoming prevalent too. Effective communication is advised to shun formation of undesired issues. If failed to be applied, eventual mental disturbances between the two may form and will lead to further worsening of the situation when not solved (Hukom & Madrigal, 2020). Considering this, the undertaking is a great avenue to share it to others on how some parents deal with the facilitation of the learning of their children.
3. Discussion and Conclusion
This research section presents the data gathered in the study. It is comprised of the presentation, analysis, and interpretation of data where the identified problems in the rationale and the responses of the research participants in the one-one interview using a semi-structured interview guide were the basis for the sequence of the discussion.
Theme 1: Preparations That Parents Have Done In Adjusting To The Learning Process
This theme entails three sub-themes: (a) providing the learner’s needs; (b) accounting for the usability of gadgets, and (c) attendance to programs relative to the new normal education system.
Parents are now given the role of learning facilitators at home due to the pandemic we are all experiencing. Nobody was ready for this. However, education must continue. So, the parents have been given a significant role to make this possible. According to Finn (2019), the participation of parents in their children’s education yields a positive contribution in honing their performances in school. Despite not having a familiar classroom atmosphere, parents still provide in-depth perspectives as they take part in their education. Thus, it is undeniable that parents have a great influence on them (Fitriani, 2019).
Based on the responses of the parents as to their preparations done in adjusting to the new learning process, we were able to generate emergent themes: accounting the usability of gadgets, providing the learner’s needs (such as modifications on the house structures, providing of snacks and school supplies) and attendance to programs relative to the new normal education system.
(a) Provide the Learner’s Needs
It is a given responsibility of parents to furnish their children with good and wholesome educational materials, supervise their activities, recreation and association with others, protect them from bad company, and prevent them from acquiring habits detrimental to their health, studies and morals (Articles 220-221 of the Family Code of the Philippines). The support of the parents to their learners is really necessary especially in these times. As the result reveals, parents have prepared the basic educational support they could offer to their learners. They have purchased gadgets, ensured that the gadgets they have at home are still functioning, made some arrangements at home for the comfortability of the learners, bought school supplies, prepared snacks and attend programs that could help them in managing education at home.
Purchase of Gadgets
Undeniably, the use of technology in this new normal is a fundamental requirement for one to be able to adjust to the shift (Jakimowicz, K. 2020). And the participants have affirmed to the significance of gadgets for their learners. Since announcements, instructions and updates are either posted online or sent through cellular phones, hence, parents’ concern is that their learners would not be left behind.
As one of the participants said:
“Ah ang amoa is we only prepared a necessary na mga gadgets ah para ilang gamiton for example ah laptop in my case ah sa akoa is laptop and the other one is desktop kay duha man akoa” (P3)
The participant shared how his two learners were provided with the gadgets that they may use for their schooling. The parent also emphasized how his children have their own gadget to be utilized. This implies that parents will always want the best for their children. Capriola (2021) emphasized how every parent thrive everyday. They do everything they can to provide for their child. They struggle to find best ways for their child to have a better life.
Another parent had the same sentiment regarding the importance of gadgets as he said:
“So, as a parent, we purchase a modem for the internet connectivity. We include in our budget since it is necessary for the online classes.” (P5)
Parents have already allocated budget for their children’s education needs especially on the gadgets or any other technology demands. It is no more considered as “wants” but “needs” to cope up with the new normal education processes.
Conducive Learning Environment
Learning environment affects the acquisition of learning. With this in mind, parents have shared that they adjusted their house structure for the learners’ comfortability.
One participant shared:
“…setting up a room intended for this new normal for them to feel motivated and comfortable…It is necessary of course for them to feel motivated in studying their lessons and feel comfortable in answering their modules” (P2)
Another parent remarked:
“…they have their own rooms. Pero usahay, I let them work wherever they want” (P4)
The participant provided separate rooms for her learners but they can study to any comfortable area of the house. Aside from providing rooms where the students can answer their modules in peace, parents also shared that they had see to it that they are really comfortable by buying things that will enhance their rooms.
The parent said:
“…ilahang room is naka prepared gayud, set up na comfortable, gipalitan ug electric fan for the comfort of our children” (P3)
The participant had adjusted the rooms of this learners making sure it’s for their comfort. There is an electric fan to make them more comfortable.
Another parent also commented:
“…I prepared their rooms…gi prepare daan ila table usa-usa” (P5)
The participant reorganized the rooms setting for the learners. He emphasized that the rooms have table for them to be at ease in answering. In addition, with these arrangements, parents also made sure that the rooms for their learners are clean.
As the participant said:
“…gihinluan ang ila kwarto, giandam para sa new normal” (P1)
The participant made sure that her learners’ rooms are clean. With all these, preparations regarding learning environment, parents can expect that their children will do better. Their academic productivity is on top-notched. This finding conforms with the study of Beyer (2021) who emphasized that there are prevalent researches about learning environment indicating how this is important. She also mentioned that lightings, temperature, and room arrangement can affect the students’ acquisition of learning.
Provide School Supplies and Snacks
Presidential Decree 603 or otherwise known as “The Child and Youth Welfare Code” states that, “Every child has the right to a balanced diet, adequate clothing, sufficient shelter, proper medical attention, and all the basic physical requirements of a healthy and vigorous life.” In relation to this study, parents have adhered to the law as they did even before the pandemic by attending to the needs of their learners especially when they studying.
As one participant said:
“…gipalitan ng notebooks, ballpen ug nay snacks, kumpleto lang gihapon”
(P5)
The participant has provided the needs of their learners such as school supplies and snacks as they answer their modules. The result implies how parent oversee all the things needed by their learners from the biggest to smallest without fail and to the best of their capacity. As depicted in the study of Bhamani (2020) that though the parents find it hard to balance the tasks these times, still they are quickly embracing the new normal learning to fill the learning gap that their children are facing during this pandemic. Measures were also taken to give students essential learning at home.
(b) Accounting the Usability of Gadgets
Seeing how technology is important for today’s education, parents have done preparations to be able to provide for their learners. Other parents have ensured to purchase gadgets for their learners. Meanwhile, there were those who weren’t able to buy new gadgets.
As the participant said:
“We no longer buy gadgets because we already have laptops and phones available at home” (P4)
One parent affirms to the response of the preceding participant:
“Gi check lang nako kung okay pa ba ang mga gadgets kay naa naman daan ila magamit na desktop.” (P1)
Since there are available gadgets at home, the participant doesn’t see a need to buy one.
Parenting includes making tough decisions in budgeting. For instance, overlooking the needs of all the children at the same time managing the finance for family living’s sustenance.
McGrath (2021) states that it is never easy especially nowadays with the influence of social media where the children can get the idea that new gadgets with the latest features is “a must”.
Fostering financial discipline becomes very difficult. That’s why it is important to assess the
‘wants’ and ‘needs’ to properly keep the family from attaining big debts.
(c) Attendance to Programs relative to the New Normal Education System
Due to the sudden shift in education, parents were forced to adapt to the changes in the learning delivery. It was definitely not an easy feat. But through various supporting programs by different organizations, the opening of classes was made possible.
The participant said:
“…ga attend pud ko kadto parents’ orientation regarding the new normal education process” (P1)
The participant attended orientation to be at par with the new normal education. Attending such allowed the participant to know the learning processes that will be adapted this time.
Another participant had attested:
“…ah, I have a participation on the webinar especially on how to handle our students ah during this pandemic” (P3)
The participant sees the need to participate on the webinar about how to assist their learners during this time of pandemic. In the study of Kusumastuti (2020), to ensure that the learning process of the students could still go well, a comprehensive connecting sheet is one of the ways to reach the learning outcome of the students. This will be useful and a great alternative learning support.
Theme 2: Parents’ Ways In Facilitating Learning At Home
This theme entails five sub-themes: (a) building house rules; (b) help the learners on the difficult topics; (c) utilization of browsing sites on the internet; (d) seeking help from more knowledgeable person/s; and (e) minding the health condition of the learners.
Parents are now given an additional role. Aside from balancing their work, they are now also responsible as teachers of their child (Fischer et al., 2020). With this, parents are struggling to balance the responsibilities, learner motivation, accessibility, and learning outcomes (Garbe, et al., 2020). Based from the responses of the participants, we were able to identify themes specifically: building of house rules, utilization of browsing sites in the internet, assisting learners through printing the digital modules, giving constant reminder about the submission dates, help the learners on the difficult topics, seeking help from more knowledgeable person’s, and minding the health condition of the learners.
(a) Building House Rules
At school, children had learned to follow the several routines to maintain order. Now that learning has relocated to homes, it is also important to establish rules and regulations for the learners to keep in track.
The parent shared:
“Ako sila ginapractice na murag naa lang sila sa eskwelahan, so ako ginapamata ug sayo” (P1)
The participant adapts the daily routines as if they are in a normal class setting such as waking up the learners early. This implies how setting of rules allow the learners to accomplish the intended tasks in the Weekly Home Learning Plan (WHLP).
Another parent shared:
“I have imposed proper time management and tell them to avoid using gadgets in any activity not related to their studies” (P2)
The same sentiments were expressed by another participant:
“Naay rules jud na siya sa pagkuan nan modules… dili gayud sila magkuan nang mga games” (P5)
The responses of the participants revealed that rules were implemented at home especially on the use of gadgets and time management practices. A perceived problem by the parents now had arisen regarding the module completion-usage of gadgets for non-academic purposes.
Duncan (2020) posits that parents will play a great role in teaching the learners how to prioritize things. Children must be taught how to properly manage their time because this is a skill that they can use for lifetime.
(b) Help the Learners on the Difficult Topics
As facilitators of learning at home, it is the role of the parents to always ask about the progress of their learners. There are topics in the modules that are hard to understand. This may cause mental stress to the learners if not addressed.
One participant said:
“I ask them what topic they are having difficulty then we work together to study it” (P4)
When parents and children collaborate in doing activities and spend more time together, the parent-child bonding increases. Parents can also help their children emotionally by comforting them and supporting them in times of uncertainty (Wang et al., 2020).
(c) Utilization of Browsing Sites in the Internet
According to our interview with the informants, they encourage their children to browse in the internet. This is because they cannot thoroughly teach them due to work and other things.
As a participant remarked:
“I encouraged them to watch in You Tube or search in google.com about the topic for them to acquire more knowledge about it” (P2)
Another informant said:
“Since we are so busy sa work, sa trabaho, as a parent, we oriented our children to do their research and if it can encounter difficulties in answering their modules” (P5)
In the study of Kathmanu (2017), he stressed out that internet, as part of technological advances, has become the focal point to everyone’s lives. It contributed a lot of things. For students, it provides varied educational information tackling everything that they need to learn.
Even the current updates on the world can be read from internet.
(d) Seeking Help from More Knowledgeable Person/s
Being busy and all, parents do not have the time to really study just to help their children on their modules. So, in times of confusion, they resort to browsing the internet. One of the informants let her students ask for help from their cousins and she commented:
“Pag naa silay kalisdan na topic paadtuon nako sila sa ila mga pinsan para magpatudlo” (P1)
Helker (2020) stressed out that some parents may find helping their children learn the modules challenging. Although there are some of them who are eager to contribute and even if they only know about the basics; still, having certain relay of lessons is fundamental. Considering the notion too that not all parents have stable knowledge on the lessons because of the updated learning materials of their children. There can be misinterpretations and confusions that will happen whenever they try to help them with it.
(e) Minding the Health Condition of the Learners
Learners are too exposed to gadgets nowadays. Since, they will need the internet for their studies. The change in the teaching-learning process may cause mental stress to the students especially those who are teacher-dependent. This is because they find learning independently difficult. With this, they may spend late nights just to finish answering modules. As attested by one parent:
“ako nabalaka sa akoang Grade 11 kay grabe ka studious dugay matulog, iya gayud tapuson an mga answeran” (P1)
The participant is worried by one of his children for studying late at night to finish the activities in the modules. The health condition of the learners should be prioritized by parents. It is good to be diligent but not to the point of abusing the mind and body. One participant commented:
“I am worried of their health and I am always reminding them about the possible effect of staying late at night” (P2)
Another parent remarked:
“To avoid them getting them too much exposure, I printed all of the uploaded modules” (P4)
To enhance, protect, preserve and maintain their physical and mental health at all times is a responsibility of parents to his/her child (Articles 220-221 of the Family Code of the Philippines). It is important that parents are not only concern with the academic status of their children but also with their health. They have to look out the health condition of their learners during this pandemic to avoid further complications.
Theme 3: Pros And Cons Of Parents As Facilitators At Home
This theme entails five sub-themes: (a) stronger family bond; (b) increased parental involvement in students’ learning; (c) develop learners’ independence; (d) lack of time management to meet the demands of work and learners’ educational needs: and (e) lack of parents’ pedagogical content knowledge.
(a) Stronger Family Bond
The ongoing spread of COVID-19 has forced the people in our country to stay at home to contain the transmission of the virus. This ensures that most of the families will have more time to spend with each other than they usually do. It was revealed in the study that distance learning has made the bond within their family stronger. It was then stressed by the parents with the following statements:
“mas nagka bonding mi sa akong mga anak kay naa lang man sila sa bahay” (P1)
“So, ang mga benefits na makahatag for the safe and also the for the time of bonding together in the family… Hmm. Kay naa man sa balay tanan”(P5)
The results of this research only imply that distance education has given the parents and the children the opportunity to spent quality family time together. This pandemic has helped the family to grow closer and build emotional resilience within the family. The children has a time to rediscover their parents and vice versa.
It was then supported by Devercelli (2020), in which he discussed that placing the parents as the main frontline for their child’s learning amid COVID-19 pandemic has given them a new role which is to be a teacher (Bozkurt et.al., 2020). On the other hand, the situation of having a dual role being a parent and teacher, has offered an opportunity for a closer bond with their children to develop (Ndhine, 2020).
(B) Increased Parental Involvement In Students’ Learning
Parents' involvement in learning is necessary in distance education because they are close to children at home. They can emulate the teaching strategies that teachers use to be interested in learning at home because the environment will be alike when they are learning at school. It was found out in the study that parents are far more involved in their children’s learning in distance education as compared to face-to-face learning. It was supported with the responses of the parents which mentioned that:
“…mas makita nako unsa sila magtuon ug maningkamot para makahibawo…”(P1)
“I can observe on how they handle their studies … I know their level of understanding…”(P2)
The results of this study implied that parents have closely monitor the progress of their children by being involved in their studies. They can measure their level of understanding by getting involved in checking their answers. They can also observe how their child acquire knowledge for them to learn the lessons. The parents have the broaden their insights into what their child is learning, what goes in a good way and what needs to improve.
Seale (2020) supported the result of the study in which he stated that creating meaning on parental engagement is a critical piece in the K to 12 education during and after the pandemic.
Moreover, Winthrop (2020) emphasized that when parents are involved at home, there is a higher chance that children will attend, accomplish and be at their best on academic achievement.
(c) Develop Learners’ Independence
Parents discussed how this new set-up of education has developed the sense of independence of their children in terms of learning. They mentioned that their children have their own control of their own learning and their actions have led them to assess their own learning. Thus, it does not hamper their work schedule, as one of the parents commented:
“So, since they are learning, independent learn na sila, sa ilang mga work sa ilang schedule sa mga bata ko, wala maka affect.” (P5)
It is evident that the parents have given their children the freedom to learn independently and by letting them work on their own preferred schedule. The participant claims how his child can be independent because of the situation. For this, his and his wife’s work schedule was not affected.
The result of the study contrasted with the idea of Winthrop (2020), in which she mentioned that parents all around the globe have found out that during the distance education, learning
independently is not a necessary skill that a child must possess, or the school must cultivate.
According to her, what matters most is when students will have the ability to utilize the lessons and apply it to real world and experiment with others.
(d) Lack of Time Management to meet the Demands of Work and Learners’ Educational Needs
This study found out that balancing responsibilities was one of the struggles that the parents have encountered. They mentioned that they could not prepare for the education shift due to the abrupt and unsuspected pandemic. They have difficulties balancing their responsibilities, in their work, at home, and educating their children, as parents remarked:
“magproblema ko usahay kay basin wa nila maatiman ila modules labi naa mi sa work… sa tinud-anay di gayud nako sila pirmi matagaan nan assistance kay tungod sa kabusy pud sa akong trabaho..”(P1)
“…I feel stress because we are both working parents… I have no enough time to facilitate since we are both working parents…” (P2)
It can be inferred that finding the balance between demands on parents’ employment and learners’ needs in academic was the frequent struggle experienced by the parents. They have described that they have inadequate amount of time to comply with their responsibilities as a parent and as an employee in their respective jobs.
The results corroborated with the study of Garbe, A., et.al (2020) in which it was found out that finding the balance has been the biggest struggle that parents have faced in the new setting of education. Furthermore, it was revealed that parents have hard time in managing their work, having quality time with their children, getting housework done, and keeping their mental health strong.
(e) Lack of Parents’ Pedagogical Content Knowledge
Distance Learning has led the parents to be more anxious for the reason that they were not only compelled to take over the role of being a teacher but also the responsibilities of teaching every day comes with a wide range of challenges. One of the respondents emphasized her struggle as to the content knowledge and pedagogy she noted that:
“…naa gayud mga subjects na wala koy idea unsa to na mga topics…” (P1) Another parent also commented:
“I am not knowledgeable on the contents of the subjects of my children.” (P2)
It can be deduced that parents lack of experience when it comes to actual teaching has resulted for them to realized that they have insufficient knowledge on pedagogical content. It is noticeable when they try to explain lesson and their children will not understand what they are trying to explain. They notices their struggle but they are blinded on what their children do not understand.
The results of this study were supported by Garbe, A., et.al (2020) in which it was revealed that parents lack of training to become an educator was described by the participants as their biggest struggle. It was evident especially in the area of Mathematics in which they have shared their lack of content knowledge to meet the needs of the students.
Theme 4: Programs And Mechanisms Provided By School
This theme entails five sub-themes: (a) importance of teachers’ constant communication; (b) convenience and accessibility of digital module; (c) fostering teachers’ approachability; (d) effective monthly update meeting of students’ progress: and involvement of subject teachers in monitoring tools.
(a) Importance of Teachers’ Constant Communication
In the new set-up of education wherein face-to-face classes was discouraged, communication have played a crucial role in the realization of the new modality in education. It evident in the response of the parents which stated that:
“… maayo gayud kung ang eskwelahan magpahibawo sa amo mga ginikanan kun unsay progress sa amo mga bata…”(P1)
Another response which demonstrated the importance of teachers’ constant communication is highlighted in this quote:
“…teacher is always gaparemind ang teacher… well informed…” (P3)
It can be inferred that parents regarded communication as vital in order for them to be updated with the progress of their learners and they believed that it is the responsibility of the school to informed them. Furthermore, it was evident that they are well-informed because the teachers have updated them.
Everitt (2020) then supported this idea in which he emphasized the importance of having transparency with stakeholders in order to have a harmonious two-way communication on the status of the newly implemented program. Moreover, he added that there should be a clear process on important information, announcements and other updates to the stakeholders.
(b) Convenience and Accessibility of Digital Module
The current situation has shifted the modes of learning into a modular distance learning in which learning modules/materials are distributed in print or digital copy. It has found out in the study that all the parents have chosen the digital module because it is convenient and accessible, it is evident in the quote below:
“…digital modular, no need for me to get the modules in school…” (P4)
One of the parents mentioned the advantage of having a digital module in which he commented:
“…digital kay kung digital is directly dayun sa internet then makuan dayon sa mga bata…” (P5)
It is evident in the study that parents do not bother to get modules physically for it can be accessed online and they are well-aware of the adapted digital process of learning by the school.
Daniel (2020) has the same claim with the results of the study in which he underscored that the new normal has enforces the digitization both in working and learning. He added that a lot of institutions made plans to maximize the use of technology, specifically in teaching.
(c) Fostering Teachers’ Approachability
The results of the research showed that teachers of their child have been very approachable, and it has helped them to lessen the burden of facilitating the learning because questions were answered on an instant. One respondent stated that:
“… anytime they answer if I have queries…”
This only implies that teachers’ approachability has helped the parents to be open in asking questions. It is very beneficial to parents who needs guidance especially in utilizing the online resources and on some clarifications on some instructions giving them an idea of what they are going to do and how to submit the outputs of their children to their subject teachers.
The implication of the study was in support to the statement of Abouelnaga (2019) in which he mentioned that authentic teachers are more approachable and passionate in nature. It has encouraged the students to ask questions without the fear of being humiliated and it creates an open line of communication. In addition, having these qualities made a lasting impact on the education of the students. He concluded that there is a link in teachers’ approachability, authenticity, and any other skills.
(d) Effective Monthly Update Meeting of Students’ Progress
In distance education learning modality, parent-teacher meeting played a vital role in enhancing the education of their children. It has been said that children do better in school when their parents are involved in their education, it is evident when one of the parents mentioned that:
“We need a monthly meeting. Hmm, topic kung unsa nay status sa mga teacher and then students”
In this time of pandemic wherein education takes place at home, it is evident that to have a monthly meeting is a necessity for them to be informed of the status of their children and to be updated of their progress in learning. It is an avenue for parents and teachers to discuss matters on how the learners’ learn and participate in class discussions.
National Education Association (2020) highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic has provided opportunities for educators to build a harmonious relationship with the parents and their family.
Although the face-to-face meeting is no longer an option in the time of COVID-19, educators must build practices that will maintain the strong bond of the home – school. In order to engage the parents, virtual meeting is highly recommended in order to maintain the communication to parents as school comply in the health protocols.
(e) Involvement Of Subject Teachers in Monitoring Tools
Self-Learning Modules (SLM) is the primary source of learning in the distance education.
Activities in SLMs are provided with answers key for the students to be well-aware of the concepts that they might missed. Accomplishing a monitoring tool to list down their scores in activities have added burden especially to parents who are facilitating their children at home, it was highlighted by the parents in the following words:
“I think in making monitoring tools, pwede ba na ang subject teacher na lang”(P4)
It can clearly be seen that parents are far more involved as to learning of their children. It was share by one of the parents in which she stated:
“ako kuhaon an answers key unya pagkagabii magcheck kami aron ako pud mamonitor kun nakasbot ba gayud sila sa ilaha tagbasa”
Based on the parents’ statement, it can be deduced that the parents wanted to have the monitoring tool be done by the subject teachers, on the other hand, it will efface the essence of self-learning module.
Jayaram and Dorababu (2015) emphasized that in order for the distance education to be effective and successful, it essentially depends on the learning materials. He added that self- learning material must perform the role of a live teacher thus it must stimulate to learn independently because they have less contact with their teacher. The students should be able to evaluate in the form of doing a self-check on the questions, activities, and exercises that they have answered, for it will provide them the feedback about their progress and eventually it will result to learning reinforcement and motivation.
Theme 5: Outliers
The fifth theme, Outliers is defined as a response which is do not belong to any of the themes that emerge in the study but is deemed to be noteworthy to be coded. There are two participant responses which is included in the outlier theme and it has only 1 subtheme: Unchanged Familial Bond.
Unchanged Familial Bond
It is imperative to note that in this time of pandemic that we are experiencing, parent- child relationship is expected to have tightened. But two of the parents interviewed shared that:
“…same raman, walay kabag-ohan…”
It was then supported by one of the parents which stated that:
…it’s the same lang naman, kasi during the normal situation I ask them… sa ngayon lang nakikita ko na sila…
It can be inferred from the statements above that lockdown brings no significant changes as to family bonding, the change that they observed is the fact that they can monitor their children now.
The results of the study were supported by Janssen, LHC., et.al. (2020) in which he found out that in parents and adolescent perspective, parental warmth and criticism did not differ prior and in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, it was also found out that the current situation does not seem to affect the parenting behavior.
Conclusions
Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions were drawn.
1) Despite the challenges brought by COVID-19, parents were eager to extend their cooperation to the Department of Education. Seeing them do preparations before the opening of classes showed their willingness to embrace the changes in education.
2) It is evident how pandemic reshuffled our lives. As to parents, they have become busier than ever before. However, it can be seen that no matter how busy they are, they are still and will always be concerned with the education of their children. Thus, utilizing every possible way to help their children learn.
3) In relation to parents as the facilitators of learning at home, they were able to devise techniques based on their capacity and convenience. However, it is never enough. Their work and other activities were barriers in helping their children learn. Thus, parents need support system to be able to facilitate well their learning.
4) The school has adopted communication lines for immediate feedback between and among learners, parents and teachers such as : Social Learning Groups (SLG), Group Chats, Virtual Kumustahan, Facebook Page, and Phone Texts and Calls .
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