The SHS Baler teachers checked on the psychological and social status of their 13 stranded students during the Covid pandemic. Eleven of the students are taking up Diploma in Midwifery, many are from Palawan while others are from Cagayan, Isabela, and Ifugao.
On March 26, 2020, Prof. Joel Valencia, a guidance counselor and SHS faculty member, conducted a group counseling session with the students. They were healthy and COVID-19 symptom-free. They expressed their worries about the safety of their families back home, but it was good that the students had no problems connecting with them through calls and text messages. Importantly, they were able to share information on COVID with them.
One of the concerns they raised was homesickness which they were able to manage by going through their daily routine and doing zumba. They also keep themselves busy with social media. None of them expressed financial difficulties and scarcity of food supplies. A faculty member donated a half cavan of rice for them while others gave food.
In between visits by the barangay officials and faculty, the students were encouraged to notify the faculty members or administrative staff of any concerns and issues on their safety and security. The students were also regularly updated on academic matters to ease their uncertainties regarding their schooling.
To intensify information dissemination and increase the community people’s awareness on COVID-19, SHS Baler distributed pamphlets in Barangay Reserva and Barangay 1, Baler Aurora. Supplementary health education session was conducted for some residents. The information campaign was made possible through the staff from the different rural health units in coordination with the provincial office of the Department of Health.
Director Robelita Varona and Asst. Professor Joel Valencia
