ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro lauded the plan of the Department of Education to hire more non-teaching personnel to relieve teachers of administration tasks.

Castro said this will allow teachers to focus on their teaching tasks.

The lawmaker said that for so long, teachers also served as nurse, librarian, clerk, canteen personnel, feeding staff, registrar, guidance counselor, nutritionist, property custodian because of the lack of support personnel.

“Sana totoong magawa ng DepEd na makapag-hire ng mga education support personnel at hindi maiwan sa pangako,” she quipped.

“Hiring enough education support personnel per school for these specific and specialized tasks will allow teachers to concentrate and prepare for their classes,” Castro added.

She was hopeful that the DepEd will start hiring right away in time for the reopening of classes.

“Taon-taon na lang nababaon sa gabundok na gawaing papel ang mga guro na labas sa kanilang teaching duties para lubos na makapaghatid ng serbisyo sa kanilang mga mag-aaral hindi lamang sa pagtuturo kundi pati sa kanilang nutrisyon, paninigurado na may sapat na learning materials at teaching supplies ang mga paaralan, may makakapagbigay ng paunang atensyong medikal ang mga nangangailangan at iba pang dagdag na trabaho na ipinapataw sa mga guro,” Castro said.

“Panahon na para itama ng Department of Education ang maling practice na ito at dapat lamang na magkaroon ng sapat na education support personnel sa bawat paaralan sa ating bansa.”