TEACHERS’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) has reaffirmed its support for the scheduled opening of School Year (SY) 2022 -2023 but clarified that they are calling on the government to “postpone” the opening of in-person classes in September instead of on August 22 as previously announced by the Department of Education (DepEd).

“We are not against face-to-face classes, in fact, we also want the children’s education to return to normal. They have been struggling for two years, our teachers have been struggling with this distance learning system for two years,” Benjo Basas, chairman of TDC, said.

He added that in-person classes are the best and most effective teaching method, and there is no alternative.

However, DepEd must ensure that children, teachers, and staff are safe in the face-to-face classes (F2F), especially if the government wants 100% attendance.

He said facilities such as classrooms, water, sanitation facilities, ventilation, and even teaching and non-teaching personnel, including health professionals in schools, need to be increased to ensure that the system will be in order.

Moreover, the group reiterated that the two-month school break is teachers’ right under existing laws and should not be disregarded.

“These are the things we would like to clarify if our request for a dialogue with our Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte could be granted,” Basas concluded.

According to the group, the entrance date can be changed if the President considers it as in previous years.

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Arlene Rivera