The shift to distance learning has left students with no choice but to adjust to its demands. 

For 21-year-old Jessa Mae Gabiana, who lives in a remote area in Samar, distance learning now means climbing a mountain to get strong internet connection for her online classes. 

Gabiana is a 2nd year BS Education student at Samar College in Catbalogan City.

Since their classes started in August, Gabiana and some college students in Barangay Pamamas-an, Motiong, Samar, have been struggling with distance learning. (READ: IN PHOTOS: Students, teachers struggle as classes open during pandemic)

Struggle with online class

Aside from having to find a spot with a strong signal, Gabiana also shared how they are unable to join some of their reporting sessions in class because of the lack of laptops or power bank. 

“Minsan kahit may klase pa kami, biglang nagshutdown, na-low batt ang cellphone namin, uuwi at uuwi kami doon sa baba, doon sa lugar namin. ‘Pag naka-full charge na siya, balik ulit kami doon sa bundok. Sobrang hirap niya po,” Gabiana told Rappler. 

(Sometimes our phone shuts down or becomes low batt in the middle of class. We have no choice but to go home. Once it gets fully charged, we go back again to the mountain. It’s very difficult.)

Even a little rain would cause a power outage in their area that may last for days. At one point, Gabiana’s teachers and classmates thought she already dropped out of school after being unable to attend classes for 4 days because her mobile phone’s battery remained drained. 

“Nakakalungkot kasi nga, kahit may klase pa kami, kahit gusto po namin makapag-join sa klase namin, dahil nga low batt kami, minsan nawawala ang signal, minsan nakakainis po siya sobra pero ganun, kailangan talaga ng mahabang pasensya,” Jessa added.

(I feel sad because even if we wanted to join our class, we couldn’t because our phone is either dead or the signal is weak. It’s frustrating but we really just have to be more patient.) 

Dreams of being a teacher

Gabiana’s parents are farmers. Because of poverty, her family has repeatedly told her to quit school.

She has had to seek ways just to continue her studies. In her free time, Gabiana would sell clothes to raise money for her schooling. She used her savings from her small business to purchase a mobile phone that she can use for her online classes.

“Ayaw po talaga nila na pag-aralin ako mula elementary. Hanggang ngayon po ako mismo ang nagsusumikap na mag-aral kasi ayaw talaga nila (They really didn’t want me to go to school since elementary. Until now, I persevere on my own to continue my studies because they really didn’t want me to study),” Gabiana said.

Her determination to pursue her studies is fueled by her dream to become a teacher.  She has been a consistent honor student from elementary until senior high school. 

She is the fourth of 7 siblings. She wants to be the first in her family to get a college degree.

“Ang pangarap ko po sa buhay ay maging guro upang tulungan po ang mga bata sa kanilang pag-aaral, mabigyan ko sila ng karunungan….. Kahit po ganoon po kahirap, pero gusto ko pong makapagtapos sa pag-aaral… gusto ko tulungan ang mga kapatid ko, gusto ko po sanang paaralin sila,” Jessa said. 

(My dream is to become a teacher. I want to help kids in their studies so I can enlighten them. Despite the challenges, I still want to finish my studies. I want to help my siblings. I want to support their education.)

Watch Rappler’s video of Jessa Mae where she walks us through her daily journey, along with other college students, to their classroom in the mountains. This showcases how students in the provinces are struggling with distance learning.

Her story is not an isolated case. Since July, thousands of students joined the call for donations through the #PisoParaSaLaptop campaign, hoping to raise funds for a laptop. But while a lot of students are able to acquire their laptops for their online classes, finding the means to access and fund a stable internet connection remains uncertain.

How to help

Those who would like to help Jessa Mae Gabiana and other students cope with distance learning may course donations through The Wagi project (TWP), a local advocacy group that crowdfunds laptop or other gadgets for students. Donations may be sent to TWP’s founder Sheila Marie Borongan with the following bank details:

• BDO: 0015 1011 0567
• BPI: 9550 0126 23
• GCash: 0917 729 1030

You may also visit their Facebook page for more details.

The Wagi Project has also been a partner of MovePH, Rappler’s civic engagement arm, for the #PisoParaSaLaptop campaign. Since its launch in August, they have helped 24 students from Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Zambales, Bacolod, Tacloban, Bukidnon, Camarines Sur, Pangasinan, Batangas, and Sarangani. – Rappler.com 

What’s your story involving distance learning? Share it with us and join the #StoryOfTheNation by sending your thoughts and a photo of your current setup to move.ph@rappler.com.