Save the Children Philippines said that reaching out to the students amid the pandemic is “very critical” to the children’s well-being especially if they will be learning in an entirely new set-up.
SCP Chief Executive Officer Atty. Alberto Muyot said teachers – along with parents and communities – are “critical to the fulfillment of children’s rights to access inclusive and adaptive education in the time of COVID-19.” Outreach calls are part of the mental health and psychosocial support being provided by teachers to learners who face anxiety, fear, and uncertainties, especially in this time of pandemic, in order to encourage them as well to be motivated to continue learning even from home. “It gives teachers the chance to check-in with their students without being intrusive,” she said.
“It would not take more than 15 minutes for teachers to converse with their students as children may find it hard to concentrate on the phone for longer periods of time,” Villanada said. “But those 15-minute outreach calls are very important and may actually save lives,” she added.