Citing various concerns, a group of teachers on Thursday, March 7, urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to suspend its Catch-Up Fridays Program.

“Catch-Up Friday is not a necessity and therefore must be immediately suspended,” said Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) National Chairperson Benjo Basas in a statement.

Launched in January, Catch-Up Fridays is part of DepEd’s learning recovery efforts. DepEd has instructed all public schools nationwide to designate every Friday for the program.

READ: 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/13/what-is-catch-up-fridays

Catch-Up Fridays was designed to “strengthen” foundational, social, and other essential skills among learners to achieve the goals of basic education.

Through the initiative, DepEd expects students' abilities in reading, critical thinking, analytical, and writing to be enhanced.

While TDC recognizes the need to strengthen learning recovery efforts, it strongly urged the DepEd to immediately halt the implementation, arguing that it will “not positively impact” children's education.

“We agree that there is a need for catch-up activities, but this shouldn't be a one-size-fits-all program,” Basas said.

Other issues

In calling for the suspension of the program, TDC raised concerns about the allegations that some DepEd employees sold materials for Catch-Up Fridays.

Citing reports, TDC said DepEd is “currently investigating potential violations” of its strict no-collection policy by public school officials.

READ: 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/1/dep-ed-probes-selling-of-materials-for-catch-up-fridays

TDC noted that a school principal in Caloocan City was reportedly issued a 90-day preventive suspension.

The group noted that while the unidentified principal was indeed administratively charged, there was “no order” for a preventive suspension.

“DepEd's failure to provide materials may have contributed to the alleged sale of Catch-Up Friday workbooks,” Basas said.

While TDC does not tolerate such possible violations, Basas said that some of their colleagues in the field were truly determined to carry out the program.

“In fact, many of our teachers spend their own money for this,” he added.

Lack of preparation

TDC noted that due to a “lack of preparation and uniform implementation,” there was confusion in the field regarding the implementation of Catch-Up Fridays.

READ: 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/15/taranta-ang-inabot-group-slams-dep-ed-s-abrupt-order-on-catch-up-fridays

Given this, the group insists on the “immediate suspension” of the program.

Basas stressed that since schools have already had class schedules since the beginning of School Year (SY) 2023-2024, the Catch-Up Fridays program “only disrupts the regular teaching and learning process.”

Citing reports gathered, TDC noted that Catch-Up Fridays “may be the reason why many students choose not to attend Friday classes.” This, the group said, only defeats the “very purpose” of the program.

While TDC is pushing for the immediate suspension of Catch-Up Fridays, Basas maintained that his group is “willing to support” any mode of learning recovery program of the DepEd upon “proper consultation with stakeholders” — especially teachers and school heads.

Aside from TDC, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines, in a separate statement, also urged DepEd to halt the implementation of Catch-Up Fridays.  

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https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/2/dep-ed-s-catch-up-fridays-not-optimal-for-learning-recovery