THE ALLIANCE of Concerned Teachers said that the Department of Education’s recent statement to implement online classes during the typhoon instead of imposing class suspension is unjust and inhumane.

“In situations like typhoon and calamity, safety is our priority. How do we conduct online classes when your learner and his/her family is currently flooded?” Vladimer Quetua, the group’s chairperson, said.

He was reacting to DepEd Spokesman Michael Poa’s statement that online classes will be implemented instead of suspension “to maximize learning continuity since we are on learning recovery mode, we do not suspend classes.”

“This is unjust and inhumane. This is also insensitive to the actual situation of our general public during calamities. Nauunawaan natin yung kahingian na makaahon sa learning crisis pero sa mga panahong mas kailangang isalba ang buhay, hindi lang dapat nakatuon ang pansin ng DepEd sa learning recovery,” Quetua added.

The group also said that Poa’s statement was unrealistic and insensitive for all the teachers and students who are currently facing difficulties because of continuous typhoons.

ACT said that online classes during calamities is not the solution to address the learning crisis.

“Fixing the problematic curriculum, sufficient funding (to address the backlogs in inputs) and implementing substantial salary increases for teachers and education support personnel are the solution,” Quetua said.

“In addition, during calamities, the government which include DepEd should be thinking of ways on how to provide assistance to its constituents. Imbis na pahirapan ang mga mag-aaral at guro na kasalukuyang naghihirap na dahil sa sunod-sunod na bagyo, dapat sigurong isipin ng DepEd kung paanong makatutulong sa kanila,” he added.