MANILA, Philippines — The College Editors’ Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) is asking education authorities why they insist on reopening schools despite the COVID-19 pandemic taking a toll on students’ mental health. According to CEGP, it has received reports that a 21-year-old male student committed suicide as the pandemic drove his family deeper into poverty. “Another life has fallen victim to the byproduct of the government’s misplaced priorities in its response, or lack thereof, to address the COVID-19 outbreak and exploitative and unconstitutional education system,” the CEGP said. ADVERTISEMENTBut the CEGP urges both DepEd and CHEd to show more compassion amid the pandemic. Meanwhile, observers are saying that the uncertainty that the pandemic has led people to suffer anxiety and mental fatigue — conditions that should be addressed by medical professionals.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer August 18, 2020 15:22 UTC