ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro denounced the premature and presumptuous assessment of the Department of Education on the school opening amid the Covid19 pandemic.

The solon pointed out the reopening of schools was only able to push through owing to the dedication and hard work of teachers and education support personnel who found ways to bridge the gaps and shortages brought about by the Duterte administration’s failures in preparing for a safe, quality, and accessible education for all.

“We think it is premature and presumptuous for the Department of Education to say that the reopening of classes is a success vs. Covid considering that it is the teachers, education support personnel, parents, and local governments who thought of ways to ensure that the youth will have access to education,” Castro said.

“All of us want a successful reopening of classes. What we cannot accept is for DepEd and the national government to declare the reopening of classes a success without adequate assessments, and despite the still many shortages and problems brought about the limited resources, materials and equipment it provided teachers and students,” she added.

Castro stressed the administration can only claim a successful school opening when it has adequately addressed the pandemic and the youth can safely go back to their schools for their classes.

“Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin kumpleto ang mga modyul ng mga bata, hindi lahat ay nabigyan ng gadgets, kulang na kulang ang ibinibigay sa mga guro na teaching expenses allowance para sa mga bagong moda ng pagtuturo. May mga report din na kalahati lang ng kabataan ang nakapasok sa kanilang online class,” the solon further noted.

“Ang mga nanay rin ay hirap para masigurado nila na ang kanilang mga anak ay natututo sa iba’t ibang moda ng pag-aaral ngayong panahon ng pandemya. Ano ang batayan ng Department of Education para sabihing matagumpay ang pagbubukas ng klase ngayong panahon ng pandemiya?” Castro stressed.