Despite the government’s pronouncement that classes for the incoming school year will start next month, a teachers’ group once again appealed to Vice President and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sara Duterte to reconsider the school opening date set on Aug. 22.
“Umaapela po kami kay VP Sara, kaya nga nais naming makapulong siya upang ipaliwanag ang aming mga hinaing (We are appealing to VP Sara, that is why we want her to meet to explain our grievances),” Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) National Chairperson Benjo Basas said on Thursday, July 14.
While it recognizes that the decision when it comes to school opening rests in the hands of President Ferdinand “Bongbong Marcos Jr., Basas said that the recommendation coming from the DepEd Secretary remains very crucial in the outcome.
TDC also sent another letter request for a meeting with Duterte as the group appeals to reconsider the opening of classes. “Sana po mapagbigyan ang aming kahilingan para sa pulong-dayalogo at maikunsidera ang pagbubukas ng klase at least sa mid-September (I hope our request for a dialogue meeting will be granted and the opening of class will be considered at least in mid-September),” Basas said.
While it is pushing for the adjustments in the School Calendar and Activities for SY 2022-2023 released by DepEd, Basas maintained that TDC remains supportive of the government’s initiative to implement face-to-face classes.
“Inuulit din naming na wala kaming tutol sa face-to-face classes, pero nais naming matiyak na magiging maayos ito (We would like to reiterate that we have no objection to face-to-face classes but we want to make sure that it goes well),” Basas stressed.
The group is requesting for the SY 2022-2023 opening to be moved to mid-September to comply with the mandated school break and vacation for teachers.
Duterte, however, released the DepEd Order No. 34 series of 2022 dated July 11 and announced that the beginning of classes will be on Aug. 22.
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