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ACT sets up ‘Bantay Balik-Eskwela Hotline’

August 28, 2021 Arlene Rivera 385 views

THE Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines launched its “Bantay Balik-Eskwela Hotline” today to monitor the “true on-the-ground state” of school opening for school year 2021-2022, and seek responses and resolutions from the Department of Education (DepEd) on gathered reports.

The group expressed concerns regarding the safety and overall welfare of teachers in the coming reopening, especially as initial reports indicate that stakeholders may yet again face issues similar to what they experienced in the last school year.

“Reports are already coming in regarding unclear and inconsistent instructions on enrollment processes; on still lacking protective measures in schools despite the threat of the Delta variant; on unavailability of modules for senior high school students; among others,” ACT said

“Many of these had already been raised last year, when classes re-opened for the first time under distance learning sans ample preparation from the government. We’ve seen how the quality of and access to education suffered, as well as the wellbeing of teachers and students. We don’t want another year of the same,” lamented ACT Secretary General Raymond Basilio.

ACT furthered that it has yet to hear of the Duterte government’s report on how it is addressing the multitude of issues raised by teachers, parents and students regarding the safety, accessibility and quality of education amid the pandemic.

The group added that DepEd has neither released an “honest and comprehensive” assessment of the last school year.

“We’re only a few weeks away from Sept. 13. We want to know right now what the Duterte government is doing to resolve recurring issues in education, such as: limited to no internet connectivity; lack of enough gadgets for teachers and students; poor quality and lacking modules; overwhelming workload of both teachers and students; and, of course, the continuing blanket imposition of distance learning even in low risk areas where it is most inaccessible,” raised Basilio.

ACT cited the need to gradually and safely reopen schools in far-flung rural areas where the benefits of in-classroom learning far outweigh the low risks of an outbreak, especially with sufficient protective measures.

The Philippines is seventh in the world with the longest school closure, while neighboring countries with comparative situations have reopened as early as mid-2020.

ACT called on DepEd and President Duterte to immediately address their concerns as well as the issues that will unfold in the coming days as school opening nears.

The group urged teachers to maximize the hotline that will serve as a venue for them to air their woes and grievances, as well as help provide a clear picture of the reopening of the school year. The ACT Bantay Balik-Eskwela hotline numbers are: Smart – 09614215053, Globe – 09674461266.

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