For a group of education workers, it takes more than “peace and discipline” to address the learning crisis in the country.
“What we need is a leadership that recognizes the learning crisis, the desperate quality of education, the chronically underpaid status of teachers, and the degeneration of the country’s sense of history and grasp of truth,” Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines Secretary General Raymond Basilio said.
The group is reacting to presumptive vice president Sara Duterte’s “peace and discipline” vision after she was named as the next Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary by presumptive president Bongbong Marcos.
For the group, Duterte’s vision for education “does not address the current crisis besetting the sector.”
ACT also hit Duterte’s “lack of track record” in addressing the challenges faced by the education sector.
The group also expressed strong opposition to Duterte’s appointment and challenged DepEd officials and other freedom-loving individuals to “stand for truth and justice” and likewise reject a Duterte-led education agency.
“As teachers, we will do our jobs, as we always have, to continue the fight for social justice especially amidst these dark times,” Basilio said.
This, he added, is crucial in resolving the crisis in education and the society, of which “we have been so harshly reminded during this election.”
Likewise, ACT also urged the public to continue standing for truth, justice, accountability, and civil liberties and freedoms.