Education Secretary Leonor Briones on Thursday assured Vice President Leni Robredo that the Department of Education (DepEd) continues to address the needs of its teachers, other personnel and the students.

During the virtual press briefing of Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque on updates regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, Briones addressed some specific concerns raised by Robredo on school opening - particularly those related to personnel welfare, implementation of distance learning, and recommendation to realign part of its budget - among others.

“We are doing everything to protect the teaching and non-teaching staff including the children,” Briones said. 

In a letter dated August 10, Robredo relayed to DepEd the concerns of teachers which include the need for mass testing, physical check-ups, medical supplies, and protective gears. 

To address this, Briones noted that DepEd - as part of a system - will only adhere to the policies of the national government. 

“Whatever the policy of IATF on mass testing, we will comply but we assure that DepEd is always taking the necessary precautions,” she added. 

Without face-to-face classes, Briones insisted that teachers are under the work-from-home scheme - especially in high risk areas. She added that DepEd “complies with the skeleton work force” arrangement and ensures that “minimum health standards in schools are strictly observed” if there is a need for physical reporting among its personnel.

Robredo also asked DepEd to utilize the P29.5 billion allotted for new buildings to address needs of teachers and students in distance learning.

“Given the shift to distance learning, many of these school buildings will be left without children to occupy them, thus deprioritizing the need for the rehabilitation of physical spaces,” she said.

However, Briones noted that DepEd “cannot make very significant realignments” in its budget without consulting the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) first. 

Despite all the issues raised, the DepEd Chief maintained that school opening will push through on August 24 and that preparations are in full swing to ensure that the new learning delivery will be implemented efficiently.