[ad_1]
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 27) – A group of teachers is rejecting President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to revoke his order requiring a volunteer pilot of face-to-face classes in schools in areas labeled as low-risk for COVID-19.
“Last night’s cabinet meeting exposed how ‘in the dark’ and ‘in limbo’ the Duterte administration still is in terms of handling the pandemic,” said the secretary general of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) of the Philippines, Raymond Basilio, in a statement Sunday.
Basilio said this has led to Duterte’s “knee-jerk response” to abort the pilot project, rather than using “a scientifically guided risk assessment” of areas where it can still be performed despite the threat of a new variant of COVID. -19. He added that the government is again “resorting to passive measures” as it deals with recent development and how it impacts education.
The group says the measure fails to address concerns about safety, accessibility and quality of education amid the pandemic, noting that the current remote learning program has failed to ensure uninterrupted education for students despite a health crisis.
Many students and teachers across the country have encountered problems with the learning scheme, ranging from the availability of modules to access to the Internet and devices.
RELATED: ‘Looks Like They Don’t Want To Give’: Public School Teachers Fight For Government Reimbursement For Internet Connection Costs
Basilio said that for teachers, the recovery of the educational system should be oriented towards the possible return of face-to-face classes, since they continue to be the “most ideal” way of imparting formal education.
“[Y]what is missing here is what it takes to be ableContinue ang face-to-face classes, “he told CNN Philippines ‘Newsroom Weekend’, referring to ensuring the availability of hand-washing facilities, health clinics, health workers and items that meet health needs in schools.
Basilio argued that although these will determine if the country will finally be able to resume physical classes, they do not see these conditions being met.
He also added that under the proposed budget for 2021, the $ 13 billion funding from the Department of Education allegedly allocated for the repair and construction of classrooms has been drastically reduced.
RELATED: Duterte To Veto Some Items In Proposed 2021 Budget – Palace
“This would have been of great help to us in organizing education system be ready for it or be sensitive is there in challenges na thisimpose to us from COVID-19 “, lamented Basilio.
[Translation: This could have been a huge help in efforts to fix our education system so that it can be ready or responsive to the challenges imposed on us by COVID-19.]Duterte announced the revocation of his order for the face-to-face class trial during his Cabinet meeting on Saturday on the new variant of the coronavirus. He originally approved the order on December 14.
The Department of Education has already said it will comply with the executive director’s new order.
[ad_2]
