THE Alliance of Concerned Teachers pinned the blame on the drop in enrollment on the Department of Education.

“We have to remember that it is the governments’ duty to send its youth to school and give utmost priority thereof. But it is so disgusting that the government seem not to do so. In fact, yearly average in education budget in the past 5 years is only 3.5 percent of the GDP which is too far from the 6 percent global standard,” Vladimir Quetua, the group’s chairperson, said.

“This negligence is directly affecting the students and the teachers. A Filipino learner this year has only P23,552 per capita budget or P107 daily allocation from the government,” Quetua added.

He said DepEd should be held accountable for the two million drop in enrollment.

“Matagal na nating sinasabi na hindi sapat ang budget sa edukasyon na nilalaan ng gobyerno para sa pagpapa-aral sa kanyang kabataan. Naipapasa itong responsibilidad na ito sa mga magulang na kakarampot lamang ang sahod, kulang panga sa pangkain. Magtataka pa ba tayo na marami ang pipiliing magtrabaho na lamang at hindi na mag-enrol?” Quetua said.

The group called on Education Secretary Sara Duterte not to demonize protesting, which it said is one of the democratic rights of Filipinos.

“Saklaw ng Departamento na siguraduhin at tiyakin na walang estudyanteng maiiwan. Bakit napaka-allergic ni Sara Duterte sa mga tanong? Walang masama sa pagrerehistro ng karapatan. In fact, kaya tayo tumutungo sa lansangan para maitambol ang mga panawagan para sa edukasyon, guro, at mag-aaral. Itong paninisi ni Sara Duterte ay baseless. Panay turo na lang at sisi sa mga kritiko samantalang walang ginagawa para alamin ang mga rason bakit bumababa ang mga nage-enroll,” Quetua said.