Covid-19 pandemic

K-12 online education during COVID-19 pandemic: Private school teachers’ perspective

admin_irjstem Abstract Coping mechanism, Covid-19 pandemic, K-12 education, Online teaching, Private school teachers

Eric M. Ragpala
Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University- MLUC, College of Graduate Studies
City of San Fernando, La Union, Philippines
Corresponding Email: [email protected]

A B S T R A C T
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, most educational institutions had been compelled to make an abrupt transition to online classes, which provided opportunities and challenges for students and teachers. To make sure the validity and reliability of this research study, a descriptive design was used. The researcher utilized an online semi-structured interview to gather the needed data from the participants. The researcher adhered to random sampling in selecting the participants of the study. A total of 17 private school teachers were randomly interviewed using Google Meet and Zoom. After the online semi-structured interview, the researcher analyzed the data using thematic analysis. The three major themes generated from the responses of the participants are perceptions of the private school teachers, the challenges in online teaching amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and coping mechanisms. The study found that online teaching had an impact on the responsibilities and roles of the participants in K-12 education due to the changes in teaching platforms, procedures, and techniques. The study presented that the internet connection of students and teachers is one of the most important tools in online teaching. This study revealed also that pure online teaching will not help K-12 education achieve its goals due to the lack of hands-on activities. The study highlighted that the various challenges in online teaching encourage them to be adaptable and resourceful in their teaching careers. Furthermore, the study consists of coping mechanisms that determine how the participants coped with the changes introduced by the rapid move from face-to-face delivery of lessons to online teaching. The researcher recommends that teachers must regularly attend training and seminars on educational development and students must interact with their teachers to perform effectively in the teaching-learning process.

Full Paper PDF

Treatment outcome and follow-up pattern of breast cancer patients with locally advanced and/or metastatic disease receiving intravenous chemotherapy during COVID-19 Pandemic: A descriptive correlational study

admin_irjstem Abstract Covid-19 pandemic, Locally advanced and/ or metastatic breast cancer

Paulo Martin B. Villanueva1 Judy Ann B. Surtida, May Sabando
English as a Foreign Language Teacher, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Polytechnic State University of Bicol / Manila Doctors College of Nursing, Philippines
Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH), Philippines
Corresponding Email: [email protected]

A B S T R A C T
The study determined the impact COVID-19 pandemic on treatment outcomes and follow-up patterns of breast cancer patients at Bicol Cancer Center of Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH). The study utilized a retrospective and descriptive study. Of the 108 breast cancer patients, 73 or 67.59 percent had followed up as scheduled during the pandemic; while there was 35 or 32.41 percent who had delayed follow-up. Of the total number of subjects with treatment delays, there were 7 or 6.48 percent with the stable disease while 24 or 22.22 percent were already found with progressive disease. For breast cancer patients with no treatment delays, there was 71 or 65.74 percent with stable disease and 6 or 5.56 percent were found to have a progressive disease. A chi-square test of independence was performed to examine the comparison of outcomes between those with treatment delay and those with no treatment delay. The relation between these variables was significant, X2 (1, N = 108) = 49.9951, p = <0.00001. Patients with no treatment delays were more likely to have a stable disease compared to those with treatment delays. There is a high percentage of follow-ups as scheduled despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The incidence of progressive disease is higher among patients who received treatment delay as compared to those who did not have treatment delay. Patients with breast cancer who do not follow up as scheduled which causes treatment delays are at higher risk of having more severe or progressive disease.

Full Paper PDF

Private school teachers’ voice in the Philippines amidst Covid-19 pandemic: A descriptive phenomenological study

admin_irjstem Abstract Covid-19 pandemic, Descriptive phenomenology, Private teachers, Voices

Bernardo K. Gumarang Jr.
Isabela State University Cabagan Campus, Philippines
[email protected]

A B S T R A C T
Several studies discovered that private teachers have a higher probability of losing their jobs than public school teachers during the Global Financial Crisis. This appears to be the case in many low- and middle-income countries throughout the current crisis or covid-19 pandemic. This phenomenon is generating a lot of problems, particularly as voiced out by private school teachers in the context of developing countries. This motivates the researcher to investigate and discuss the problems faced by private school teachers in the Philippines in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis. Specifically, the researcher described their motivation factors teaching in the private school and their challenges during a Covid-19 pandemic. The researcher used a descriptive phenomenological research approach and an in-depth interview. Using purposive sampling, seven (7) participants were selected to participate in the study. To preserve the confidentiality of the research participants, ethical measures were also implemented. The responses of the participants were thematically analyzed using Colaizzi’s methods of descriptive phenomenology. Results revealed 3 themes on the motivation factors: Passion in Teaching, Teaching as a Calling and Promotion in Public School and 5 themes related to challenges which include Financial Constraints, Mental Health Issues, Working beyond Contract, Lack of Teaching Resources and Poor Relationship with the School Heads. Indeed, private teachers are also encountering problems that need to be addressed by the national government. As voiced out by the participants they received nothing from the government as compared to the public teachers during the pandemic. This study recommends that the national government must also look at how to help private teachers who are affected by the pandemic, such as financial assistance. Private school institutions may also consider creating policies to address some issues encountered by their employees.

Full Paper PDF