The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition on Wednesday welcomed the reminder of the Department of Education (DepEd) to teachers to give less homework to their students but urged the agency to reduce the workload of teachers as well.
The TDC commended the move of DepEd to reduce the school workload of the students after receiving feedback that many of them are “overwhelmed” with requirements that they have to submit under the distance and blended learning approach, especially for the printed modular learning.
“Ikinalulugod namin ang pahayag na ito ng DepEd at umaasa kami na ipagpapatuloy pa rin nila ang pagtatasa sa mga polisiya (We welcome this statement from DepEd and we hope that they will continue to review the policies),” said TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas.
Basas noted that there are also many policies that DepEd has to review and reconsider as it implements alternative learning delivery modalities in lieu of face-to-face classes this school year.
“Sapagkat nasa gitna tayo ng krisis dulot ng pandemya, dapat lamang na magkaroon tayo ng konsiderasyon sa lahat lalo na sa mga bata at kanilang pamilya na maaaring limitado ang kapasidad pang-ekonomiya at pang-akademiko (Since we are in the midst of a crisis caused by the pandemic, we should have consideration for everyone especially the children and their families who may have limited economic and academic capacities),” Basas said.
TDC also recognized the initiatives of DepEd in the past few weeks, particularly the changes in student assessment at grading criteria. “Matatandaan na hindi na magkakaroon ng periodical test ang mga bata at binago na rin ang sistema sa pagbibigay ng grado sa mga mag-aaral (It can be recalled that the children will no longer have a periodical test and the grading system for students has also been changed),” Basas said.
However, the TDC reminded that DepEd should also take into consideration the situation of teachers.
Basas noted that since they were required to render services since June, teachers have been fulfilling other tasks, including “Brigada Eskwela” activities, enrollment, weekly accomplishment reports, webinars and online meetings, and module preparation and distribution.
He noted that teachers have been blamed for the erroneous modules pointed out by netizens when classes started last Oct. 5. This, he said, is unfair to teachers because they only follow the directives coming from the DepEd Central Office when it comes to the modules and other academic requirements.