MANILA, Philippines – “Malayo ang mga bata sa blackboard? Dalhin ang blackboard sa mga bata!”
That’s what 56-year-old Grade V teacher Augusto Furaque did for the students of San Isidro Elementary School in the town of Bulusan, Sorsogon.
 |
| Photo credit: DepEd Region V – Bicol |
Amid the pandemic, the Philippine government through the Department of Education (DepEd) implemented the distance learning system or online classes to help curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
But so many students are having a hard time with their lessons because they can’t really understand the learning modules on their own. Even parents are facing difficulties with helping their kids learn, especially because a lot of parents are busy with work or can’t also understand the lessons.
 |
| Photo credit: DepEd Region V – Bicol |
Knowing the challenges that his students and their parents face, Sir Augusto decided to help out. The kids can’t go to school but he can bring the school to them!
So, Sir Augusto goes around town carrying a blackboard so he can help the struggling students catch up on their lessons. Of course, just like other teachers, he also had to create his fair share of learning modules to distribute to his class. But he also goes out of the way to actually help the students understand the lessons on these modules!
 |
| Photo credit: DepEd Region V – Bicol |
“Nakita ko pong mas natututo ang mga bata kung may blackboard kasi mas naipapaliwanag at naisasalarawan ko sa kanila ang mga bagay-bagay na kailangan pang ituro sa ilang mga lessons, at saka mas nagiging participative sila sa learning process,” the admirable teacher explained.
The school principal Jocelyn Fulo-Garalde gave her blessing for Sir Augusto to do this, as long as COVID-19 protocols are being followed. Thankfully, there are no more COVID-19 cases in their place, but Sir Augusto and his students continue to practice social distancing, wear masks, and regularly disinfect their hands.
 |
| Photo credit: DepEd Region V – Bicol |
It turned out that this is not the first time that Sir Augusto went out of his way to help the students. In the past, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, he is known to also visit his students for free tutorials. He used to bring visual aid on Manila paper but because these easily get damaged, he took to bringing a blackboard instead.
— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express