The Department of Education (DepEd) will not be able to declare a nationwide academic break for schools due to different COVID-19 situations across the country.
DepEd Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio said the school principals and superintendents will have to take the lead and take the necessary actions depending on the situation. But schools can implement policies, such as adjust deadlines in the submission of school requirements, the official said.
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers and Teachers’ Dignity Coalition earlier called for “health breaks” in public schools due to the surge in COVID-19.
Senator Risa Hontiveros said she supports the call of teachers for a two-week health break.
“Teachers are humans, too. They are also exposed to the same health risks and are experiencing the same difficulties like everybody else,” she said.
“They might not be the only one who will get sick, but also their family,” she added. A two-week break, she noted, is the amount of time for full quarantine and to let them rest, recover or attend to their family’s needs.
The Commission on Higher Education should also reconsider its announcement regarding the implementation of limited face-to-face classes.
The health and safety of both students and teachers should be the priority.
An opposition lawmaker has voiced concern over reports that a number of teachers have experienced symptoms or have family members currently experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
Assistant Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro cited a recent survey conducted by the Alliance of Concerned Teachers-NCR Union which revealed that more than 55.3 percent of the teacher respondents are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
The survey also asked the respondents if they are still working despite having symptoms, 84.7 percent answered yes. And when asked if they received any support or aid from their divisions or schools, 76.2 percent answered that they did not receive any aid or support.
“These are very alarming numbers. What is the Department of Education doing to support our teachers during this time when many of their employees are sick?” Castro asked. “Do they even know the extent of the COVID-19 positive cases among DepEd employees?”
“Teachers, especially in areas under alert level 3 are calling for a health break from the Department of Education so that they can focus on their health and the health of their families as we experience the worst surge of COVID-19. With this demand, teachers are also cautioning the DepEd not to give them webinars to attend during this health break so that they can really focus on taking care of themselves and their families,” Castro added.
“We reiterate our call for the Department of Education to implement a much-needed health break for areas under alert level 3. We also call on the DepEd to ensure adequate health monitoring of our teachers,” Castro said.
As the country continues to experience the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic, Castro said “we continue to call for the need for the government to conduct free mass testing, have adequate contact tracing, ensure there are sufficient and accessible facilities and medical supplies for affected individuals and families and aid for the most affected Filipino families amid this COVID surge.”
