ACT TEACHERS Partylist Rep. France Castro on Monday urged Commission on Higher Education Chairman Prospero De Vera to assess the situation of students and teachers in higher education institutions under blended distance learning before declaring that flexible distance learning would be the norm for the next school year.

“What is the plan of the Commission on Higher Education to support teachers and students struggling in blended distance learning? Has the CHED conducted assessments on the situation of teachers and students? Before saying that ‘flexible learning’ would be the ‘new normal’ for higher education institutions, the CHED should have an assessment about teachers and students amid the 1 year of flexible distance learning,” Castro said.

She added that many groups have called for academic ease because of the mental, physical and financial strain brought by flexible distance learning.

“Saying that ‘there’s no going back’ to face-to-face learning is a very dangerous statement and threatens access to quality higher education for many Filipinos,” Castro said.

She stressed that face-to-face classes provide better quality education than flexible learning.

“Unless the Commission on Higher Education and the Duterte administration follow recommendations for safe and effective back-to-school, our youth will continue to be denied their right to quality and accessible education,” Castro said.

“Habang tumatagal na sarado ang mga paaralan, hindi binibigyan ng sapat na badyet ang edukasyon para sa ligtas na balik-eskwela at epektibong distance learning, mas tumitindi ang kinakaharap na suliranin ng sektor ng edukasyon upang lutasin ang lumalalang krisis sa edukasyon,” she added.

“Dapat nga aralin na ng CHED, saan ang mga lugar na zero at low risk sa Covid na maaaring ligtas na makapag-face-to-face ang mga mag-aaral. Gumawa dapat ng mga hakbang ang CHED para mapabilis ang pagroll-out ng bakuna sa mga guro at kawani ng tertiary education,” the lawmaker said.