DEPED response to weather emergency lauded
THE Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) recognized the action taken by the Department of Education (DEPED) in response to the constant cries of teachers and children to consider the extreme heat and suspend face-to-face classes.
In a memorandum signed by Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas yesterday, DEPED reiterated the agency’s policy “to suspend in-person classes and implement modular distance learning in cases of unfavorable weather and environment such as, but not limited to, extremely high temperatures which may considerably affect the conduct of classroom learning and put the learners’ health and wellbeing at risk.”
The DEPED issued the reiteration after some school children fainted in Laguna and Mindoro recently due to the extreme heat.
Groups of teachers and even parents call for DEPED to return to the old school calendar.
“It will take at least four years to gradually return to the old school calendar where the months of April and May are designated as school breaks, for now the alternative methods that can be used are shortened teaching time and modular and online learning,” said Benjo Basas, national chairperson of TDC.
Basas acknowledged the issuance of such a memorandum, however, he said returning to the old academic calendar would require adjustments that could take years to implement, while the suffering of teachers and students is felt in real-time.
“A more strategic approach is needed, for example, a lower class size of no more than 25 students, more stable classrooms designed for student comfort and provision of electric fans or even air -conditioning systems. Certainly, we will need funds and policies to implement such,” added Basas.
The TDC reiterated that public school teachers have the right to a two-month school break that could be compromised if the DEPED will immediately reverts to the old system.
The group cited DEPED Order No. 34, s. 2022 which sets the August opening of the school calendar for the school years 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
“We need to fix it and make sure that the welfare of our teachers is taken into account before implementing the return to the old school calendar,” added Basas.
TDC has a pending request to the DEPED on school break and proportional vacation pay for teachers.
