Vice President Leni Robredo dismissed Sunday as “irresponsible” the statement made by Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones on her Community Learning Hubs initiative.
(OVP / Facebook / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Speaking on her radio show, Robredo said the local government units and local DepEd offices who are partners of her program now fear the repercussions of implementing the hubs.
“Iyong mga DepEd officials matatakot sila baka sila ma-sanction. Iyong mga teachers na partner namin baka ma-sanction kasi iyong DepEd ganito stand nila (The DepEd officials are afraid they could be sanctioned. Our teacher-partners could be sanctioned because of this stand of DepEd),” she said.
Briones has denied partnering with the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in putting up the learning hubs. She said the DepEd did not officially approve the project.
The Education Secretary also said the DepEd has no authority to stop the OVP’s learning hubs, so they are leaving the matter to other government agencies to look into it.
Robredo’s office has 11 learning hubs in various areas nationwide that provide assistance to students with volunteers tutors and access to computers, gadgets, and free internet connection.
The hubs work on a by-schedule basis which means the students need to make an appointment ahead of time if they like to access the resources there.
The Vice President reminded Briones of her duties and responsibilities of ensuring the welfare of teachers and students during the coronavirus pandemic.
“The boss of Secretary Briones should be the students who need to learn, the teachers who need help, not the President (Duterte). It is true the President appointed her but I hope she would protect the children and teachers,” she said.
Robredo asked Briones that she should keep education out of politics.
“Our No. 1 goal is that we should ensure no student is left behind, not the goal to please our higher-ups,” Robredo said.