The Alliance of Concerned Teachers-National Capital Region (ACT-NCR) on Tuesday, April 19, protested against the Department of Education's (DepEd) Memorandum No. 029 that requires the 100 percent on-site reporting of all teachers in areas under Alert Level 1.
The teachers’ group reiterated that the memorandum was released despite the absence of students in schools, prevailing weak internet connection, and the rising number of Covid-19 cases in selected parts of the country.
The group also claimed that the memorandum was released without prior consultation with teachers.
“Hindi nauunawaan ng pamunuan ng DepEd ang kalagayan at pangangailangan ng mga guro at ng edukasyon sa kabuuan. Kaya walang pakundangan ito kung magpatupad ng mga polisiyang hindi lang bastang pahirap sa mga guro, kundi balakid pa sa pagpapahusay ng paghahatid ng serbisyong pang-edukasyon sa gitna ng krisis (DepEd does not understand the situation and needs of teachers and the education system as a whole. It is disrespectful to implement policies that are not only oppressive to teachers, but also an obstacle to improving the delivery of educational services in the midst of a crisis),” said ACT.
Meanwhile, DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones, in a press statement issued on Tuesday, April 19, said that the 100% on-site reporting is an “opportunity to improve” the implementation of multiple learning modalities in the country by means of “more efficient” supervision and monitoring.