Suspension Bridge

To suspend or not to suspend? Let’s bridge the gap.

If classes were not suspended on days with heavy rains…

Children from ages 5 to 18 would continue learning. They would engage in social interactions in face-to-face classes which we discovered were so precious when we went through the pandemic. They would complete their number of school days in a year and number of class hours in a day, and a week. On top of that, they would be able to continue with their extra-curricular activities. They could practice for the school marching band, sports, write for the school paper and other extra stuff; although, outdoor activities would be limited due to the unfavorable weather. They would be making most of their time in school. Discipline and focus would be developed. It would be instilled among children that regardless of the unfriendly weather, a person should continue to work in the performance of tasks, in commitment and dedication.

On the other hand, children from ages 5 to 18 would brave the rains from home to school, while in school, and from school back home. Wearing jackets or raincoats, they would pack pedicabs, tricycles or jeepneys, forcing their bodies inside, crushing other passengers to desperately avoid the rain. It is probable that they would stomp on puddles, soaking their feet clad in white socks and shoes. It would be worse it the puddles were of mud. They might come to their classrooms partially wet. Going through that ordeal may increase the chances of them getting cold or fever. The teacher may not deliver the regular lessons, in consideration for some of the classmates who were not able to come.

If classes were suspended on days with heavy rains…

Children especially those with ages from 5 to 12 would be spared from the inconvenience of the commute to school and back with the rains heavily pouring, trying to chase pedicabs or tricycles. They would be safe at home, free from inconvenience, and most importantly, free from potentially getting sick. They would be safe at home. Parents would also be spared from the anxiety of worrying about their children’s circumstances, and/or braving the rains themselves in taking the children to school and fetching them to go home. The pupils and students would be spared from being stranded at school or along the streets or encountering any accident while trapped under heavy rains. Parents themselves would be spared from the anxiety of worrying of their children’s conditions or rushing from work or home to rescue the young ones from heavy downpour.

On the other hand, they would miss their classes. That would be one or a couple of days taken from the required number of school days in a year. These would be lost opportunities of learning experience. Suspensions cut the momentum of learning or any activity for that matter. At the resumption of classes, considerable time would be spent for review to make up for the lost time. For the same reason, lessons would have to be rushed. Eventually, this haste would be stressful for students. The same would be true for motivation, the emotional drive to work, accomplish and succeed. You would have to pick it up again when it’s cut.

So, what is it going to be? It looks like health and safety vs continuity of learning, or anxiety, getting sick or stuck vs lagging behind lessons. I think there’s this guy who went by the name of Abraham Maslow who made a hierarchy on which to prioritize. First and foremost on the priority list is physiological needs which includes health and safety, along with food and clothing. That relates to health from cold and fever, and safety from danger of floods and other accidents. Where would continuity of education fall? I guess, it could be considered as a form of job security (which is second priority). If a student complies with academic requirements, he/she gets a better chance at getting a good job. So, although, it’s a far stretch, I guess, it could be included in job security. There you go, unless 21st century knowledge wants to challenge longstanding conventional psychology, health and safety stands at a higher priority over job security in the form of education.

What about the missed lessons and activities? There would be sunny and fair-weather days for that. What about the jeepney, tricycle and pedicab drivers, canteen and store vendors who would run short of profit because there are no classes? Are you telling me that their business is more important than children’s health and safety?

Ephesians 5:15-16: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.””