Indignant teachers under the Association of Education Researchers and Trainers (ASSERT) urged the government to postpone the opening of classes on August 24, 2020.
This after ASSERT received reports of teachers getting infected by the coronavirus or COVID-19 raising more questions and uncertainties as to the opening of the classes. Some teachers are being obliged to physically report to school despite the absence of strict health protocols and health insurance.
The teachers held online protests on Wednesday, August 5, to press these issues on the Department of Education and the government to rethink their plan to open classes on August 24.
Worried parents are opting not to send their children to school without the availability of COVID-19 vaccine and assurance of safety against the contagion.
The teachers and school heads could not answer the queries of parents and students about the details of the ‘new normal’ multi-modal and blended learning that DepEd had been supporting.
The teachers will also conduct their own post-SONA online protest and press conference to put forward the realities on the ground that run contrary to DepEd’s announcement that it is ready with the opening of classes on August 24.
Teacher leaders representing the different divisions of Luzon will join the protest.
The group has identified elements critical to new normal schooling. A report card on DepEd’s accomplishments on these components will also be presented.
On August 1, DepEd announced that online mode of teaching will not be employed admitting that it is not ready for this mode of learning. In place of the online mode, the modular learning will be used although modules are not available yet.
Various groups have also called for the postponement of the Aug. 24 school opening urging the government to prepare a “comprehensive” set of measures that would ensure safe, accessible, and quality delivery of education for all students.