Parents and teachers raises concern over incomplete modules, health protocols as school opening draws near

In an online press conference of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), some teachers and parents expressed their concerns and problems about this school year's (SY 2020-2021) class opening on October 5.

Photo credit: rappler.com

According to Paula Runio, it is a big challenge to do at her work and teaching her children at the same time. Also, her children's modules are still incomplete.

Ang modules po ngayon na ipinapamahagi nila hindi sapat. Paano pa kaya para sa mga susunod na araw?

said Runio.

[The modules they are distributing today are not enough. What more for the coming days.]

She chose modular learning for her children's modality because their internet signal is weak.

Sa ganitong sitwasyon po sa pagtatrabaho kailangan po din nating buhayain ang ating pamilya hindi lang po para sa edukasyon ng ating mga anak kailangan din sa kanilang mga kakainin,

she added.

[With the current situation, we also need to support our family not only the education of our children but also to put something on the table for them to eat.]

According to ACT Cebu member Antonia Lim, they heard from a teacher who said that there was a mistake in making the learning modules in Naga City.

Yung ibang guro naman sila ang nagkaproblema sa paghanap ng mga bond paper para sa kanilang modules,

said Lim.

[Some teachers were the ones who had trouble providing bond papers for their modules,]

Aside from the problems with modules, the ACT still asks the Department of Education (DepEd) to come up with clear mechanisms and guidelines to address teachers’ health concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In a government press briefing, DepEd said that they are ready and everything is in place for the class opening. However, the department admitted that there will be challenges following the class opening and asked everyone's cooperation and help for the students and teachers.

Kung may isyu ang magulang sa pagkuha ng module, DepEd na ang magdadala sa kanila. Kung may isyu sa connectivity, we will be flexible… Madali pong mag-shift to other distance learning modalities,

said DepEd Undersecretary Tonisito Umali.

[If the parent has an issue getting the module, DepEd will bring it to them. If there is a connectivity issue, we will be flexible… It is easy to shift to other distance learning modalities.]

Alliance of Concerned Teachers called on the public to report on the Bantay Balik Eskwela hotline, which the group launched, any problems or possible problems of the opening of classes so that they can approach DepEd and address it.