The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to not endanger the health and safety of its personnel during the implementation of the “Brigada Eskwela” period amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
We believe that the community cooperation helps a lot in the maintenance of our schools, which is the primary purpose of this Brigada Eskwela… However, we are currently in a different situation, especially in areas where high numbers of COVID-19 infections particularly the dreaded Delta variant are recorded… And thus, cancelling the face-to-face activities is just a matter of precaution,
TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas said.
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The “Brigada Eskwela” or National Schools Maintenance Week is an activity led by the DepEd annually that engages all education stakeholders, school communities including the private sector to contribute their time, efforts and resources in ensuring that public schools are all set in time for class opening.
The program kick started on Aug. 3 and will last until Sept. 30 as per DepEd Memorandum 048 series of 2021.
TDC commented on its duration saying it is the “longest ever” Brigada Eskwela.
The group added that they support the intention in conducting the maintenance week. However, the collective and voluntary effort in line with the “Bayanihan” spirit– a cherished yet often abused Philippine tradition – should also be taken into consideration.
Basas also said that the TDC’s office have been allegedly receiving reports from the field that some teachers are required to attend the kick-off activities and render service for several days which go against the voluntary nature of the program and violates DepEd’s own existing rules on teachers’ working hours.
Basas contended that apart from DepEd missing the payment of overtime pay for its teachers who worked non-stop during the previous school year, it couldn’t event “ensure at least a decent rest for them” and likened the teacher’s work beyond mandated time to exploitation of labor.
The teachers have not been able to rest properly and there is still a lot of paperwork to be done a month after the official end of the school year, yet there is this another task,
he added.
The opening of SY 2021-2022 will be on Sept. 13 as approved by President Rodrigo Duterte.
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Teachers’ Group calls on DepEd to never risk health and safety of teachers for Brigada Eskwela
Reviewed by Issues PH
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August 08, 2021
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Reviewed by Issues PH
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August 08, 2021
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