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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Teachers cite support for class opening postponement

Teachers cite support for class opening postponement

Published Aug 14, 2020 01:35 pm

A teachers’ group on Friday welcomed growing support to move the August 24 school opening set by the Department of Education (DepEd) to a later date. 

“We acknowledge the statements from legislators and other government officials in support of the postponement of class opening on August 24, if the DepEd's system is not ready,” said  Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) National Chairperson Benjo Basas. “We thank them for listening to the voice of the teachers and the general public airing concerns on the evident unpreparedness of the DepEd to push through with the distance-learning modalities." 

TDC noted that over the week, a number of legislators, including Representative Roman Romulo and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, the chairpersons of Basic Education Committees of House and Senate, respectively, expressed concern on the readiness of the DepEd for the blended/distance learning modality. Senators Francis Tolentino and Bong Go also made the same call. 

Meanwhile, Vice President Leni Robredo, in a letter addressed to DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones dated August 10, shared the feedback coming from several teachers and shared a comprehensive analysis on school opening and recommendations to the DepEd. 

“We hope the DepEd will now open its heart to this clamor and begin to honestly assess its capacity and finally recommend the deferment of class opening to the president,” Basas said.

The school calendar law or RA 7797, which limits the school opening every year up to the last day of August was recently amended by Congress. 

President Duterte signed RA 11480 last month, which allows him to adjust the beginning of the school year beyond August during emergencies upon the recommendations of the DepEd Secretary.   

“With barely a week to August 24 and the online learning, TV and radio-based instruction and modular systems far from being prepared and most importantly, the continuing rise of COVID-19 cases, there should be no other option but to postpone,” Basas said.

The TDC has also lobbied legislators to "put pressure" on the DepEd to fill the gaps on its preparations or defer the opening of classes.

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