ACT TEACHERS partylist Rep. France Castro called for an urgent inquiry in aid of legislation into the Department of Education’s guidelines on alternative work arrangements amid the Covid 19 pandemic.

In filing House Resolution 1109, Castro said the DepEd’s back-to-work guidelines don’t have enough safety protocols to ensure the health and safety of teachers as well as non-teaching staff.

This developed as the solon learned that many teachers and other school personnel have been asked to report for work.

“Many teachers and non-teaching personnel have reported and complained of lack of preparedness of the education department as well as shortages in the personnel and resources of the public education system,” Castro said.

Castro added that the DepEd released its work arrangement without prior consultation with the stakeholders resulting in guidelines that are not appropriate and insensitive to the actual working and living conditions of public school teachers nationwide, including students, parents and others concerned.

“Hindi totoo na walang face-to-face classes sa kasalukuyang mga polisiya ng DepEd sa paghahatid ng edukasyon sa milyong kabataan sa darating na pasukan. Karamihan sa kabataan ay gagamit ng modular na paraan ng pag-aaral kung saan ihahatid ni teacher ang mga modules sa bawat bahay ng kaniyang estudyante at kakamustahin ang kaniyang pag-unlad,” paliwanag ni Castro.

“Dahil iisa-isahin ni teacher ang bahay ng kanyang mga mag-aaral, nagkaroon na rin ng face-to-face ang guro at ang mag-aaral. Parehong may higit na panganib ang kahaharapin ng teacher at ng mag-aaral na makuha ang sakit na Covid19 dahil iikutin at iisa-isahin rin naman ni teacher ang mga bahay ng kaniyang estudiyante,” Castro stated.

Reports said teachers have been assigned to accomplish additional tasks, forms, requirements and processes which will ultimately lead to them to work beyond eight hours and/or five days.

“May dagdag panganib na, may dagdag trabaho at malaki ang dagdag na gastos ng guro para sa ginagawang balik-eskwela ng DepEd at kulang na kulang ang safety protocols at pondong binibigay ng gobyerno para sa sweldo at benepisyo ng mga guro at kawani,” Castro added.

The solon urged the DepEd to work double time in preparing for the next school year and to ensure that no child is left behind.