Briones Opens School Year As She Says “Let Us Celebrate Victory”
BRIONES – Education Secretary Leonor Briones says “Let Us Celebrate Victory” as she kicks off the school year 2021-2022.
“Let our classes begin. Let us celebrate victory. Let us celebrate success“, said Briones. However, despite Briones’ cheerful demeanor, some teachers claimed the Department of Education (DepEd) is far from ready.
With the opening of classes amid the pandemic, a new system of teaching was implemented. Primarily, the new system involves distance learning and modular learning.
But, according to the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC), a repeat of last year’s issues could likely occur this year. Based on an article from One News, TDC national vice-chairperson Olivia de Guzman said:
Classes will start today but until now, many teachers are still waiting for the provided modules while others are doing their last-ditch effort of printing and reproduction using their own resources. In other schools, even the grouping of students in their respective sections are not done yet
Furthermore, Guzman emphasized that several students and their families still couldn’t keep up with the new requirements, especially for online distance learning. Additionally, the loss of livelihood due to the lockdowns had also become a major issue.
Along with this, she cited that most of the modular learning system still requires teachers to guide the students through online lessons. But, due to lockdowns, teachers cannot visit kids in their homes.
More importantly, she noted that if a family lost their livelihood due to the pandemic, they would prioritize food instead of the internet and smartphones.
Meanwhile, the TDC said that DepEd’s biggest issue is their “disregard” for the welfare of public school teachers and their rights. Since June 2020, TDC said teachers were given official tasks until the end of the school year in July 2021.
“Some of our colleagues who were infected with COVID-19 and became critical spent up to millions in hospital bills and some have died. They did not get any help from DepEd”, she added.
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