ACT TEACHERS Partylist Representative France Castro slammed the Department of Education for reminding teachers to stay apolitical and refrain from expressing their political opinions.

Castro reminded the education agency that teachers have the right to express their political opinions as it is their duty to teach their students critical thinking.

“Teachers mold human beings capable of critical thinking and determining what is right and what is wrong. Teachers should be able to teach their students the importance of staying updated with what is happening in the country, relating with others and doing something to be catalysts for change. Saying that teachers should remain apolitical is like saying they should be robots who in turn mold robots that do not care about what is happening in our society,” Castro said.

“Being apolitical means allowing the status quo of low wages and salaries, unjust benefits, military over medical solutions and turning a blind eye on the rampant corruption in our government. Silencing our teachers would also mean teaching the youth to remain ignorant and misinformed,” she added.

Castro stressed that teachers are not robbed of their freedom to express their views, opinions and support for or against candidates, or sitting government officials.

“DepEd nga mismo pinapayagan ang National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict na mag-ikot at magsagawa ng mga seminar sa mga guro para lamang maghasik ng kasinungalingan laban sa mga lehitimo at legal na organisasyon tulad ng Alliance of Concerned Teachers at ACT Teachers Party-list tapos guro rin ang sasabihan niyang maging apolitical at mag-ingat sa pagbabahagi ng kanilang mga opinyon at mga sinusuportahang kandidato sa social media. Parang ang layunin talaga ng DepEd ay apakan at kitilin ang mga pangunahing karapatan ng mga guro para manahimik,” Castro stated.

“Teachers should not and cannot remain apolitical especially amid the attempts of historical revisionism and the worsening culture of impunity in our society,” she added.