A teacher’s coalition group urges DepEd to reconsider the dates on school reopening in the Philippines.
School reopening still in talks
News are arousing about a possible school reopening in the Philippines by August this year, but DepEd denies such a claim and still waiting for confirmation from the Inter-Agency Task Force on the steps needed to be made.
Meanwhile, the Teacher’s Dignity Coalition (TDC), a progressive group voicing out teachers’ concerns, calls upon the DepEd to prioritize teachers’ and students’ health safety before imposing school reopening in the country.
TDC chairman, Benjo Basas, also calls upon the DepEd on weighing the economic side of students when considering distance learning methods while physical classes are still impossible.
They might want to consider radio or television broadcasts for easier access to learning modules, especially for those who cannot afford gadgets and an internet connection
Basas also pointed out the recent mandates of DepEd for its teachers to be involved in online learning modules, online seminars (webinars), and other online productivity that some teachers are finding difficulty coping with.
This is not the right time to introduce a new method to our teachers without the right modes of training and seminars. Self-learning online is quite difficult for these topics.
DepEd relies on Inter-Agency findings
According to DepEd spokesperson Annalyn Sevilla, the DepEd recommendation from Education Secretary Leonor Briones has already been forwarded to the IATF, and it will be up to them to grant school reopening or not.
The recommendation contains the Learning Continuity Plan of the department, along with the proposed health measures they will impose once reopening of schools is permitted.
DepEd also reiterates, the school opening will not be on full blast, some may continue with distance learning, while there might be some that will be allowed to physical classes, given all safety measures are met.
