ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro urged the Department of Education to make wearing of face masks mandatory in schools to protect teachers and students.

“Allowing the optional wearing of facemasks in schools does not provide teachers and students the safe reopening of classes. We are still under the Covid pandemic and data on positive cases may be underreported. Allowing optional wearing of face masks in schools may put many lives of children and teachers in danger,” Castro said.

“The DepEd should at least implement minimum health standards in schools, especially wearing face masks since it cannot even provide adequate facilities to implement proper social distancing. Cramped classrooms also fail to provide proper ventilation,” she added.

The lawmaker reiterated her appeal to the government to address the overcrowding in classrooms, as well as the lack of health facilities and nurses.

“Ensuring a safe school environment not only protects teachers and students from diseases, but it also improves the quality of education our students receive and a safer work environment for teachers and school personnel,” Castro stressed.

She also lamented the lack of a medical fund for infected teachers and personnel.