(We yield this space to the statement of Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concerns due to its timeliness. – Ed.)
THE DECISION of the Department of Education (DepEd) to move the school opening on Oct. 5 validates the claims of various organizations as well as the general public on the government’s failure to make necessary preparations for safe, quality and accessible education for children.
While such move is a positive development, we reiterate the following that the Department of Education (DepEd) must ensure before opening the school on Oct. 5:
* ensure that there is sufficient funding allocation for the programs and plans regarding the continuity of learning for children in the time of pandemic
* ensure that no one is left behind; there should be proactive measures that will guarantee a 100 percent enrolment rate among students and learners in private and public schools
* recognize the problems regarding the lack of access to technology of the majority of students and teachers that hampers the smooth implementation of its distance learning program; as much as possible, the government must ensure the provision of gadgets as well as internet connection among teachers and students, especially when the situation requires
* produce and distribute the modules at the earliest possible time; the curriculum must be narrowed down to the most essential learning that students need and it should complement the overall initiatives against the pandemic; in fact, despite the postponement of school opening, the government could implement programs that would provide productive activities for children at homes.
* ensure the safety of its teachers and students; there should be clear health protocols, benefits and hazard pay for both teaching and non-teaching personnel, especially those who will physically report for work
* consultation among students, teachers and parents to come up with a comprehensive and well-grounded program on education
Given the overwhelming problems haunting the education system as well as the fact that the health situation worsens as reflected by the continued rise in the number of COVID-19 infections in the country, there’s very little hope that DepEd could resolve the issues before Oct. 5. Nevertheless, DepEd should waste no time and should double its efforts.
More importantly, the learning continuity plan must not be disintegrated in the country’s overall health situation and the response of the government to the pandemic. It is equally important to challenge not only the DepEd but also the national government to craft and implement a comprehensive, effective, humane and participatory solution to the pandemic.
