A TEACHERS’ group has slammed the Department of Education for the way it handled the case of three teachers who were exposed to a Covid19-positive parent.

The teachers had contact with the parents during the distribution of learning modules in Cebu province last August 18.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers said that the teachers received minimal assistance from DepEd and a scolding from the division superintendent.

The group submitted a joint response to the memorandum issued by the school division on Thursday, September 10, to raise the issue of DepEd’s lack of clear mechanism and health guidelines.

“Instead of care and support, the three teachers received what sounded like a scolding letter from the SDS calling their attention to the alleged ‘spread of conflicting information,’ which they were to shed light on. This caused further anxiety among our teachers who were already put in harm’s way due to DepEd’s weak protocols,” Raymond Basilio, ACT secretary general, said in a statement.

Basilio narrated that the teachers were asked of their knowledge of and how they practiced protocols and guidelines during the incident. They were also asked if they knew that the use of their school as a quarantine facility is not allowed. The three were then referred to the barangay, which offered an isolation facility for them.

The teachers were given 5 days to respond to the ‘scolding’ letter.

ACT said that in their response, the teachers said that there was no discussion on the mentioned protocols/ guidelines, and that there was no offer of an isolation facility.

“All these prove just how weak and insufficient DepEd’s mechanisms are to ensure safety of personnel and assist them in times of dire need. All they’ve received so far are fruits, turmeric, alcohol, and the like amounting to a total of P2,000 for all three of them, from the SDS. We don’t know yet if this is even a DepEd-initiated effort, or if it came from officials and personnel’s pooled money—as in the case of many other divisions, where officials and teachers chip in to help Covid19 affected colleagues. Where then is DepEd’s institutional accountability in protecting and ensuring the welfare of its workforce?” Basilio said.

“October 5 is less than a month away. We’ve been demanding for safety mechanisms and health protection, benefits, and treatment aid for education workers for several months now. This should be in place ASAP,” he added.