Malabon helps transform stay-at-home mothers into ‘E-Nanays’

TUTORIAL Malabon mothers undergo digital training at City of Malabon University to acquire skills that will allow them to help their children in their online learning. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — It is not only the current crop of students that are adjusting to digital learning. Parents are, too, and they are learning new skills to make sure that their kids are not left behind in the “new normal.”

The mothers, especially. In Malabon City in this time of the pandemic, they have become “all-around” moms—cooks, nurses, sanitation and discipline officers and, lately, teachers, with the introduction of the “E-Nanay Tutorial” project.

The project, spearheaded by Malabon Mayor Lenlen Oreta, is an acknowledgment that while mothers are now also expected to guide their children in distance learning using electronic gadgets and mobile apps, not all of them are equipped to do so.

“Moms are also the heroes of this pandemic as they have multiple roles. So it is just appropriate and timely to give back to them by equipping them with the necessary skills to survive the digital shift in education,” Oreta said at the launch of the E-Nanay Tutorial project last month.

The project is a first among local government units (LGUs) and is focused on assisting non-tech-savvy moms. The City of Malabon University Research and Extension Services Office, together with the Ninoy Aquino Elementary School, is serving as facilitator.

10-day training

The first day of the tutorial was held on Oct. 12 and involved 50 “nanays” who mostly had kids enrolled in public schools from Grades 1 to 5.

The participants of the 10-day tutorial at the computer labs of the City of Malabon University (CMU) are learning the basics of operating a computer or laptop. They are being taught how to use Microsoft programs such as Word and Excel, how to set up a Zoom meeting, and how to record and edit videos.

There is also extensive training on the use of PowerPoint so they can help their children do presentations.

“We are so happy with the response of the nanays,” said Luisa Tongco, assistant dean of the CMU’s College of Teacher Education (CTE). “It is truly heartwarming to see them learn new skills. When we taught them how to use PowerPoint, it was really an eye-opener for them. They now feel empowered and ready to help their children.”

Each of the participants have a “private tutor”—senior CTE students supervised by their professors. In the process, the 50 senior CTE students are fulfilling the time requirements for their on-the-job training.

Health protocols such as wearing of masks and physical distancing are strictly observed during the hands-on training. The campus is regularly disinfected.

Oreta said the E-Nanay Tutorial was benefiting not only mothers and their children but also entire families, who would be able to adapt to a way of life in which digital transactions are the norm.

“They can be involved in the online economy,” the mayor said. “We want them to utilize the opportunities and available resources to develop new skills. As long as we work together—the LGU and the academe, and with the support of the community—we can find ways to help each other surpass the challenges that this pandemic has brought.”

—Contributed