A TEACHERS’ group has appealed to the government to ensure the safety and welfare of teachers when classes resume on October 5.

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition sent its recommendations to Malacañang, legislators and agencies tasked to implement the Covid19 response, including the Office of the Vice President, Inter-Agency Task Force, Department of Health, Department of Budget and Management and Department of the Interior and Local Government.

The group’s ‘Notes and Recommendations from Teachers on the Resumption of Classes for School Year 2020-2021’ also enumerated nine issues and concerns such as health benefits, the provision of gadgets and internet connectivity, assistance to private schools, reduction of workload and the possible adjustment of the school calendar.

The TDC said that the recommendations were gathered from a series of consultations, online meetings and informal surveys from their leaders and members in the field.

“Represented here are classroom teachers, principals, and supervisors from all the regions. We therefore assure your office that claims made here reflect the general sentiments of our teachers,” Benjo Basas, the group’s national chairman, said in the letter.

“While we have advocated for a January 2021 class opening vs. August 24, we make clear nonetheless that we do not necessarily oppose the adjusted October 5 plan by the Department of Education. We do appreciate this slight adjustment, but security and safety of teachers and learners are serious issues yet to be properly addressed by the DepEd, especially that the state of health emergency has been extended by the President for another year,” Basas said.

The TDC said that almost a million teachers will be forced to physically interact with parents and other stakeholders, which it described as  “a health and safety nightmare that brings chills to the spines of the sane.”

“The TDC continues to seek dialogues and forge partnerships. We are very much eager to collaborate with the DepEd as expressed in our many letters to the Central Office. We fervently hope that the DepEd leadership would see the wisdom of considering the opinions and sentiments, even outcry of teachers in crafting policies and in planning for programs,” Basas said.

“Should the DepEd yet again fail to address these concerns, while dark clouds remain above us and our children, immediate consideration for postponement of class opening to January 2021 will inevitably be sought,” he added.