ACT TEACHERS Partylist Rep.  France Castro on Tuesday urged the Department of Education to impose a genuine academic ease and provide adequate support to teachers and students for their mental health exams amid blended learning.

The lawmaker lauded DepEd’s mental health helpline but said that giving adequate support and academic ease should also be a priority to help students and teachers manage stress.

“Many students and teachers experience added stress with the demands of blended distance learning. Families of many of our pupils are affected by the rising unemployment and underemployment in the country,” Castro said.

“Many families barely have enough for their basic everyday needs due to the worsening economic crisis experienced by our fellow Filipinos. Students do not only have to think about their lessons every day, but also how they can help their parents provide food on the table,” she added.

Castro reiterated that teachers are also burdened by the demands of education especially now that they also prepare for face-to-face classes.

“Mahalagang hakbang ang magkaroon ng helpline ang DepEd para sa mga mag-aaral at guro na nakararanas ng mga mental health problems ngunit hindi dapat titigil sa isang helpline ang tugon ng DepEd sa lumalalang krisis na nararanasan ng maraming guro at mag-aaral dahil sa paghihirap na kanilang dinaranas sa ilalim ng palpak na pagtugon ng administrasyong Duterte sa pandemiya,” Castro added.

“Napakahalagang hakbang din na dapat bigyang halaga ng DepEd ang pagbibigay ng sapat na suporta sa mag-aaral at guro para sa pagpapatuloy ng kanilang pagtuturo at pag-aaral sa kabila ng patuloy na pagragasa ng pandemiya,” she said.