I want to talk about our experience in the makeshift classroom today.
We have been using a makeshift classroom since the start of the school year because our new classrooms are still being built, and our current classrooms are no longer safe due to damage from wood termites and previous earthquakes.
Everyone finds this year very difficult and demanding because we have to adjust everything—from how the classroom is set up to everything we do within the school.
We must design and construct a temporary makeshift classroom because we can only create one in the open-covered court next to our school.
We needed more supplies and labour to build a temporary classroom. So, we incredibly appreciate our learners' parents, who assisted us in this endeavour.
I assumed everything would go smoothly after the makeshift classroom was constructed and the electricity problem was fixed. Still, over the following few days, things got harder for us.
Aside from the hole in our roof, water entered our classroom during the first two weeks of the heavy rain. My student's things fell into the water and got wet, making our feet cold.
Even though I can't hear them ranting and complaining, their eyes and faces are drenched in sweat because it gets hotter daily. However, I am overwhelmed because I cannot hear them rant or complain, and they still do their best to participate in our activities.
However, I can tell that they are all uneasy and preoccupied during the discussions. We don't have electric fans, so we must make do with our fans with the folders and papers.
Having been a teacher for eight years, I know that excessive heat causes disruptions in the classroom. Moreover, the learning rate is lowered by high temperatures. Heat has an impact on students' social and mental health by making it more difficult for them to focus, impulsive, and even more likely to act aggressively.
A few of my grade 1 students have already removed their shirts, and their extra motions indicate they are agitated and uneasy.
As a teacher, I felt so sad especially for my students. Students should feel comfortable during the learning and teaching process, but we must endure and have more patience in our current situation.
I appreciate that our students have learned to be resilient in any circumstance despite our current struggles.
Because it enables you to handle and overcome adversity, resilience is crucial. People who are resilient struggle with stress and may turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms. Resilient people rely on their resources and support systems to get through challenging times and find solutions.
So I'm thankful and forever grateful for my little students who endure a lot. They still come to school daily, even though they must walk long distances. And they still go to school with a smile through the mountains and rivers they cross.
Despite our challenges and obstacles, I'm praying that everything goes smoothly and that the day goes by quickly so everyone can feel at ease in our new school building.
Even with all these difficulties, I know nothing lasts forever. Everyone will eventually experience better days, but in the meantime, I'm just hoping that these young students of mine will always feel loved and cared for, that they will always look forward to the best, and that they will never give up on their dreams—no matter how challenging or long-term—in everything they do.