ACT TEACHERS Partylist Representative France Castro on Monday slammed the Department of Education for its conservative plans for school reopening and for the lack of preparation of schools for face-to-face classes.

“Naiintindihan natin na maraming mga magulang ang nag-aalangan pa rin sa pagpapapasok sa kanilang mga anak para sa face-to-face classes. Resulta ito ng kakulangan ng paghahanda ng ating gobyerno na bigyan ng sapat na solusyon ang pandemya at lubusang paghandaan ang muling pagbubukas ng mga paaralan,” Castro said.

“Tanging Pilipinas na lamang ang nananatiling sarado ang mga paaralan sa buong mundo. Sinasabi ng DepEd na hindi puwedeng ikumpara sa ibang bansa ang sitwasyon ng sistema ng edukasyon. Gumagawa lamang ito ng mga palusot kung bakit hindi pa rin magawang ligtas na buksan ang mga paaralan sa ating bansa. Wala kasing ginagawa ang DepEd at ang Duterte administration na sapat na hakbang para ligtas na makapagbukas ang mga paaralan,” she added.

Limited physical classes in 100 public schools will start on November 15, 2021.

The lawmaker stressed that the government should ramp up its plans and adequately prepare schools for the safe reopening of classes.

“Use scientific measures and not nonsense policies to ensure that our schools are indeed safe for in-class learning. Let us not waste anymore resources with barriers and never-ending lockdowns of schools,” Castro added.

She said the DepEd should ensure that classrooms have better ventilation, air filtration, washing and sanitation facilities.

The lawmaker suggested the mass hiring of school nurses and the provision of a medical fund for treatment of those who will get infected with Covid19.

“By making sure that the DepEd’s guidelines and protocols are sufficient in ensuring the safety and health of our teachers and students, the nation’s confidence in the reopening of schools will boost,” Castro said.