- A Manila district sets up a teacher-staffed call centre to support students learning from home.
- Over 70 educators assist with daily queries via phone, email, and messaging apps.
- The initiative helps bridge learning gaps while schools remain shut due to COVID-19.
To help students adjust to remote learning, teachers in Manila, Philippines, have launched a makeshift call centre that acts as a lifeline for learners struggling with virtual classes. With schools across the country closed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the local education department opened this helpline to ensure learning doesn’t fall behind.
The support centre, launched recently, is staffed by 70 educators, including 50 teachers and 20 substitutes. Trained by experienced call centre supervisors, they respond to hundreds of daily student inquiries, mostly related to math and science. Assistance is available via phone calls, emails, and instant messaging platforms.
Ferdinand Delgado, who leads the programme, said, "This initiative strengthens the government's efforts to keep education on track despite the pandemic". He added,“Quality learning should not stop just because classrooms are closed”.
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Teachers say the call centre is especially helpful for students who struggle to contact their school teachers directly. It also supports parents, many of whom are unsure how to assist their children with home-based lessons.
The Philippines is known as a global hub for call centres. This education focused version applies the same model to keep students connected, informed, and engaged in their studies.
