THE ALLIANCE of Concerned Teachers dared the Department of Education to disclose the number of public schools that wanted to be exempted from five-day face-to-face classes.

The ACT pointed out that while the return to full in-person classes is urgent, it cannot be done simply with a written order.

“In fact, Department Order 44 is proof that the government cannot effectively do it as it gave leeway for exemptions, from the earlier more stringent instruction banning blended learning by November 2, 2022,” the group said in a statement.

It claimed to have received reports that many schools, especially in the National Capital Region and other urban areas, want to be exempted from the 5-day face-to-face classes as their facilities and human resources are not sufficient.

“While we do not wish for the push for 100 percent face-to-face classes to fail, it seems that it is where we are heading given the government’s failure to address our problems,” it added.

“Our schools have no other recourse but to appeal for exemption as absorptive capacity was not expanded since the August 22 school opening. Our classes are taking turns in using classrooms and our teachers are already overloaded with teaching and non-teaching duties. How else can they expand face-to-face classes from the recent three times a week now to 5 days a week by November when classroom and personnel shortages were not seriously addressed?” the group asked.