THE POSTPONEMENT of the formal school opening (from Aug. 24 to Oct. 5) is most welcome. Now, the Department of Education (DepEd) should utilize the reprieve for the fulfillment of education safety, accessibility and quality requisites.
DepEd itself admitted that only 38 percent of school division offices are half-ready with printed modules – the backbone of its Learning Continuity Program – while the rest are lagging behind, hence its unavailability in most schools cannot be taken lightly. DepEd officials also announced the lack of medical measures and aid for personnel. The formal opening of classes must thus be put on hold until quality learning can be guaranteed for all learners and the health of all involved secured.
DepEd’s admission to the poor state of module preparation can be attributed to the central office’s slow module production and delayed printing due to the late release of funds. It’s also worth noting that many of the modules and activity sheets printed at the division or school levels did not come from the central office like promised. Instead, they were made by local teachers and officials in anticipation of this very situation. Schools’ scant funds are drying up, so much that some Principals claimed that their one year MOOE (Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses) budget will only last the first quarter of this school year.
As to preventive health measures, DepEd earlier said they do not have the authority and resources to fund the medical needs of COVID-19 positive teachers and staff. DepEd’s Finance Undersecretary Sevilla urged legislators to grant them power to do so and additional funds. We echo Sevilla’s call to enable DepEd to fund the testing and treatment subsidy of affected teachers. While relevant branches work on this, DepEd can and should work on ensuring a rigorous screening and free testing of personnel, as well as work on granting teachers sick leave. Likewise, DepEd should remedy gaping holes in its minimum health standards.
Ah yes, school opening plans demand on-site reporting of teachers and staff, rendering the decision to allow school use for isolation and quarantine until December problematic, especially in light of weak health measures instituted by the agency.
It’s therefore clear as day that school opening be postponed. Otherwise, the government may knowingly send education workers, parents and learners to high-risk situations as the pandemic rages on and just as well deny at least four million learners their constitutionally-protected right to quality education.
