THE TEACHERS’ Dignity Coalition lauded the decision of the Department of Education to extend the services of senior high school teachers.

“On behalf of the more than 1,000 SHS probationary teachers, we express our appreciation to this decision of the DepEd. The PRC [Philippine Regulatory Commission] has also assured us that those teachers will be accommodated in the licensure examination this September, and the CSC [Civil Service Commission] will discuss this concern in their scheduled meeting tomorrow,” Benjo Basas, the group’s national chairperson, said.

Basas cited the memorandum signed by DepEd Undersecretary Jesus Mateo sent to him via Viber. Part of the memorandum said that the probationary teachers will be allowed to teach until the end of the school year 2020-2021 or on July 10.

“It is hereby advised and clarified that all existing provisional appointments issued in [School Year] 2020-2021 to senior high school teachers shall be effective until July 10, 2021 or the end of school year 2020-2021,” said the memo released on May 27.

Earlier, the group appealed to several government agencies to consider retaining the services of the probationary teachers beyond May 31, 2021, their supposed last day of service.

“It is unimaginable that these teachers who were with us since Day 1 will lose their jobs at this very trying time, not to mention the discontinuity of education service to our learners. We would like to note that the current school year will end on July 10, 2021 as scheduled, thus terminating the services of the teachers by May 31, 2021 would create a negative impact that would affect the school system,” Basas earlier said.