The bill on Safe School Reopening and two other proposed legislations are “concrete ways to uphold the right to education.”

This was how the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) described and gave its full support to the proposed legislation filed by Kabataan Party-list Rep. Sarah Jane Elago, and those under House Bill No. 203 and House Bill No. 1783.

It said Rep. Elago’s bill outlined the key safety areas that would ensure the health and safety of learners and education personnel -- proper ventilation of learning spaces, on-campus health facilities and supplies, and human resources for health.

It said the bill also proposed the grant of financial support to private educational institutions to implement safety measures like Covid-19 testing program for learners and education personnel, and free medical treatment.

CHR Executive Director Jacqueline Ann de Guia lauded the proposed bill for providing ways to support the safe reopening of classes and the transition to face-to-face classes.

She said the bill even provided a “concrete way to uphold the right to education while protecting the right to health in educational institutions.”

“It endeavors to execute in concrete terms the interdependence and indivisibility of rights since the right to education cannot be fully attained if health and safety are compromised,” she said.

“It is also notable that the proposed bill aims to provide health security, which will enable students and education personnel to learn and work without anxiety over the financial consequences that Covid-19 may pose,” she added.

At the same time, the CHR lauded the passage of House Bill No. 203, which was refiled by lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc on the first day of the 19th Congress, since it would increase the salary of teachers who deserve due compensation.

“Many teachers take on additional odd jobs to support their families especially given the current rising inflation and peso devaluation. As we put high premium to education, this must also be translated to the value and compensation we accord our educators,” De Guia, a lawyer, said.

She said that House Bill 1783, which would increase the education national budget, was also cited by the CHR as it would propel education reforms.

“As prescribed by the United Nations, the proposed measure seeks to increase the education budget to at least six percent of the country's gross domestic product or GDP,” said de Guia.

“Adequate budget allocation for education is essential to the attainment of quality and accessible education to ensure that no learner is left behind.”

House Bill 1783, also known as Education as Priority in the National Appropriations Act, was authored by ACT Partylist Rep. France Castro and other Makabayan bloc lawmakers.

Lastly, de Guia welcomed the “compassionate” decision of Education Secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte to not require school uniforms for the incoming school year because this will alleviate the burden of indigent families who are unable to afford the cost of uniform due to the rising prices of goods and commodities as well as the economic constraints resulting from the pandemic.

Secretary Duterte cited DepEd Order No. 065 Series of 2010 which stated that “the wearing of a school uniform shall not be required in public schools.”

“Students with existing uniforms may continue using these uniforms, if they so desire, in order to avoid incurring additional costs for new attire,” it added.

“As we all anticipate the reopening of classes, CHR shall monitor the situation in schools and continue to work with all branches of government and stakeholders in upholding the right to education, health, safety, and just compensation in the education sector,” De Guia said.