Teachers’ groups responded to the government’s declaration that it intended to fully implement face-to-face instruction by the end of November by arguing that safety precautions for teachers and children should be put in place first.
The Department of Education (DepEd), which Vice President Sara Duterte runs as Education Secretary, has been encouraged by the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines and Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) to address the “critical prerequisites” for full in-person classes.
ACT Philippines Chairperson Vladimer Quetua said, “We need to be alert and prepared. It would be hard for children, instructors, and parents to go to school and encounter another spike during the pandemic.
In contrast, TDC reiterated its support for the start of in-person classes in the upcoming School Year (SY) 2022–2023
TDC National Chair Benjo Basas stated, “our learners have already suffered badly under a distance learning set-up.” But even so, he continued, “if we estimate a 100 percent restart, we need to prepare our schools.”