A GROUP of teachers asked the Department of Education to consider moving the opening of classes to January next year, saying the agency should be better prepared for blended learning.

School opening was reset from August 24 to October 5 to give the department and schools more time to prepare for distance learning.

“We simply cannot allow this school year to be compliant for compliance’s sake but an honest to goodness, well thought out, meticulously designed program to meet the unforgiving demands of education during this pandemic. From curriculum, to learning materials, to digital infrastructure, realistic, yet reliable assessment, effective teacher support, learner support, and parent support, all options must be fully explored,” Benjo Basas, national chairman of the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition, said.

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

The group urged the government to initiate wide consultations with stakeholders, hold more training for teachers, orient parents and prepare the needed mechanisms and infrastructure for the various methods of distance learning.

“Teachers are the frontliners of the education sector, partners with the central office. The indifference and antagonism on the part of the DepEd towards its teachers need to stop if they are to move forward. The DepEd has refused to take honest to goodness steps to involve our teachers on practically all policy matters, in clear violation of the provisions of the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers (RA 4670) and the general democratic principle of stakeholder participation,” Basas said.

He said that while the DepEd prepares for another school calendar adjustment, children could continue their informal learning using several platforms like television or reading books and other educational materials.

Alternative learning sessions within the community can also be conducted or “guided online research for those who have access,” Basas said.