Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday urged the Department of Education to maximize the postponement of school opening and intensify efforts in responding to the needs of teachers as they shift to online blending during the pandemic.
“Tutal October pa naman ang opening, meron pa namang oras. Sana hindi masayang yung oras between now and October,” Robredo said.
[Since the opening has been moved to October, there’s still time. I hope they don’t waste the given time between now and October.]
Robredo expressed hopes that even the farthest and smallest of schools will be prepared by October.
“Sana pagdating ng October yung pinakamaliit, pinakamalayo, at pinakamahirap na paaralan is ready na.”
[I hope that by October, even the smallest, the farthest, and the poorest school will be ready.]
She reiterated the need to communicate to teachers what is being done to give them confidence that the agency has their backs.
“Kung totoo na inaasikaso na [ito ng DepEd], sana ma-communicate nang maayos sa teachers kasi mahalaga na alam nilang susulong sila sa gyerang handa,” Robredo added.
[If it’s really true that the DepEd is already preparing, I hope they communicate this properly to teachers because it matters that they are well-prepared for battle.]
She also reiterated her call for DepEd to allocate a budget to conduct COVID-19 testing and physical check-ups among teachers, and treatment for those who have contracted the virus.
