The Department of Education is looking to hire tutors under the blended learning program, priority on the list will be displaced private school teachers during the pandemic.
Displaced private school teachers
Due to the pandemic, around 440 private schools in the PH were forced to close indefinitely, leaving hundreds or even thousands of teaching and non-teaching school staff with no jobs. The financial instability brought about by the pandemic is one of the reasons why such a low number of enrollees on private schools was recorded for this school year. Without enough enrollees, some private schools in the PH were forced to retract employees and suspend operations.
As of now, displaced private school teachers are pleading the agency to offer financial assistance for them during this pandemic. On the other hand, the Department of Education has a better idea. The agency will hire the displaced private teachers and field them in as tutors for the upcoming launch of the blended learning program in public schools in the PH.
The DepEd Undersecretary for Planning and Field Operations, Jesus Mateo, announced that the priority for the slots as tutors will be displaced private school teachers during this pandemic. Mateo also mentioned about hiring tutors based on the location where they currently reside, the suggestion will limit the chances of transmission in selected cases where physical reporting is required.
Source of Funding
The DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones assured that the Department of Budget and Management is willing to help fund the program. Aside from that, the budget coming from the Special Education Fund of the Local Government units will be diverted into this program.
The agency reassures that the funding for this program will be made available, and displaced private school teachers will be given the opportunity to land jobs despite this pandemic.