THE ALLIANCE of Concerned Teachers denounced the Department of Education for compelling teachers to seek donations through its Brigada Eskwela.

“Hindi na nahiya ang pamahalaan, ginagamit pa ang mga guro sa panghihingi ng donasyon, samantalang hindi pinopondohan nang sapat ang edukasyon at kuwestiyonable pa ang ginawang paggastos sa pondo sa distance learning,” Vladimer Quetua, the group’s chairperson, said.

“Ginagamit lamang ng DepEd ang diwa ng bayanihan para mapunuan ang mga kakulangan ng pamahalaan, sukdulang gawing kompetisyon ang paramihan ng naso-solicit. Kadalasan din ay palaging abonado si teacher para mapaganda o maayos ang silid-aralan,” Quetua added.

The group mentioned that the Commission on Audit flagged the Department of Education for its “deficiencies” in the utilization of funds amounting to P4.527 billion intended for the implementation of the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan, also referred to as distance learning program, for school years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022.

Quetua said that while the DepEd had said that the out of pocket expenses of teachers should be reimbursed, the process is difficult because of the numerous requirements.

“At any rate even if they were reimbursed the teachers were made to shell out money in the first place. Money that is very dear considering that they have very low salaries and the Marcos administration said that they will not give a salary increase for teachers,” he said.

“Dapat may nakahandang sapat na pondo para sa Brigada Eskwela, batay sa identified needs ng bawat eskwelahan para maihanda ang mga classroom at schools sa school opening. Nakakalungkot na habang 4.5 bilyong piso ang di maayos na ginastos ng Deped na para sana sa mga eskwelahan at mga guro ay inoobliga naman ang mga guro na mangalap ng pera para sa Brigada Eskwela na sagot dapat ng pamahalaan,” he added.

Quetua especially noted of the P2.4 billion funds to procure laptop for teachers which was flagged by COA as the laptops purchased were “too pricey” for their specifications, thereby considerably cutting down the number of laptops that were actually bought.

“Masakit sa dibdib ng mga guro na habang nangungutang sila para makabili ng laptop ay maanomalya ang paggamit ng pondo para dito. Dapat magkaroon ng mas malalim na imbestigasyon rito at panagutin ang mga salarin sa pagka-aksya at posibleng kumita sa transaksyong ito,” he said.