Over 240 teachers in 2 regions allegedly contracts COVID-19 while distributing learning modules

More than 240 teachers from 2 regions were supposedly infected by coronavirus after distributing self-learning modules for students to be used in the Department of Education’s (DepEd) distance/blended learning.

Photo credit: mb.com.ph

According to the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) secretary general Raymond Basilio, 245 teachers from Calabarzon and Central Luzon were reported to have tested positive for Covid-19 in their group. Furthermore, there are 52 non-teaching personnel who also contracted the virus.

According to Basilio, the teachers allegedly contracted the virus from infected parents of the learners. Because of this, many teachers are now currently in an isolation area.

Based on the last data recorded by the teachers' group, 6 teachers have already died because of Covid-19.

Meanwhile, the group also speaks up on the department seemingly blaming teachers for providing many activities to the students.

The group insists that DepEd should be the one to have issued clear rules on the learning modules they provide to the students.

Linawin lang po namin na 'yung mga guro po sumunod lamang po doon sa guidelines ng modules na inilabas ng DepEd central office at 'yun po ang nakalagay doon na bawat lesson ay may 5 activities na ipinapagawa,

said Basilio.

[We just want to clarify that the teachers just followed the guidelines of the modules issued by DepEd central office and it is stated that each lesson has 5 activities to do.]

This is said to be the reason why teachers had to find ways to ease the burden or workload of students.

Kaya nga po ang mga ginagawa ng teachers ngayon ay nagse-self assess hindi na po nila sinusunod ang guidelines ng DepEd central office kasi nakikita nila hindi talaga kakayanin ng mga bata ang maraming activities,

Basilio explained.

[That is why the teachers are doing their own assessment; they no longer follow the guidelines of the DepEd central office because they see that children cannot really handle many activities.]