BY ALLIANCE OF CONCERNED TEACHERS
AS THE cases of transmission and fatality caused by the contagion of COVID-19 grow in numbers, the government faces multitudes of criticism due to the lack of urgency, preparedness, and above of all, adequate sympathy on the severed affected by this pandemic, as health institutions endure the agony of scarce material resources, and medical incapacities.
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) – Private Schools, in its endeavor to best represent the interest of private school educators and personnel, amplify the demands of the sector in these trying times.
With Luzon-wide Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) at work in order to quell the viral infection, all face-to-face classroom sessions and other operations that are not deemed skeletal are suspended until April 14, 2020. However, we are alarmed on the mounting concerns in education which pose threats to the health, welfare, and security of the teachers.
ACT Private Schools urges private education institutions to review their academic calendars for possible make-up classes, and other alternative mechanisms in consultation with teachers and other stakeholders, as we intensify our call for a total suspension of classes.
This shall include all online and other learning requirements – either through modes of modules or online conferencing. This is primarily to help all the teachers, students and parents to mentally and psychologically adjust on the situation, and to mainly prioritize their safety.
Statistics-wise, 61 percent of 150 teacher-respondents from different private institutions across Metro Manila are not in favor of the ongoing resumption of classes online. Majority cites conflicts in terms of accessibility and inclusivity, burdening students from stacks of academic loads which can seriously affect their physical and mental health. Regardless of whether the schools provide technical provisions or not, the plea for a total class suspension until ECQ is lifted is deemed relevant and of critical importance, as we recognize that welfare is a moral obligation of all employers to their workforces ergo, an utmost priority.
Moreover, we denounce in strongest terms the perpetuation of “No Work, No Pay” scheme in some regions, as we demand to terminate or waive conflicting provisions and repressive policies in all contractual agreements especially in times like this.
Furthermore, we call all administrators and school heads to set aside their profit-driven business priorities and manifest leniency and compassion by providing additional monetary allowances and other benefits to financially aid their personnel, both academic and non-academic, for their socio-economic necessities in the midst of this health emergency. Likewise, we demand for an immediate release of Teachers Salaries Subsidy (TSS) to private school teachers entitled to receive this financial assistance.
We haven’t seen the worst. Thus, it is now, more than ever, that the government shall impose measures that will not infringe the rights and interests of the marginalized, who are always considered the most vulnerable.
We stand with the Filipino people to demand for a free mass testing and to protect our frontline health workers.
ACT Private Schools press the administration and the private sector to immediately heed the right to health alongside with the socio-economic demands of academic and non-academic personnel in private schools nationwide, and of the Filipino people in general./PN
