A PROFESSOR at the University of the Philippines said that educators who have been reaching out to their students beyond class hours are assisting them to catch up with their lessons.

“Sa College of Education, ang tinuturuan namin yung mga studyante namin na to go the extra mile ‘no…yung mga students na at risk of dropping out, pala-absent, hindi nagsa-submit ng assignment, walang social support sa bahay, kasi si teacher, hindi naman yan yung maraming time eh,” UP College of Education Professor Maria Mercedes Arzadon.

“Ang tatawagan lang niya, or pupuntahan niya sa bahay ay yung mga nangangailangan, mga disadvantaged students,” she added.

The Department of Education released DepEd Order No. 49 which directed teachers to avoid “relationships, interaction, and communication, including following social media with learners outside of school setting, except if they are relatives.”

Arzadon said that some teachers demand for more time with children.

“Paano pa ‘yung mga studyante talaga na nangangailangan ng special support? Hahayaan na lang sila mag-dropout?” she said..

“Kasi ‘yung teacher dapat 15 lang ang students niyan pero meron siyang 35-50 students. Kulang yung class time para i-address ‘yung mga needs nila, kaya si teacher creative siya, she goes the extra mile, tinatawagan niya ‘yung parents, o tine-text niya sila, pini-PM para ma-followup ‘yung mga nangangailangan,” she added.