THE Teachers’ Dignity Coalition urged the Department of Education to immediately halt the implementation of Catch-up Fridays, a learning recovery program launched on January 12, 2024.

The call came in response to allegations that some DepEd employees sold materials for Catch-up Fridays.

Reports reveal that the DepEd is currently investigating potential violations of its strict no-collection policy by public school officials; furthermore, a school principal in Caloocan City has reportedly received a 90-day preventive suspension.

TDC has confirmed that, although the unidentified principal was indeed administratively charged, there was no order for a preventive suspension.

“DepEd’s failure to provide materials may have contributed to the alleged sale of Catch-up Friday workbooks. While we will not tolerate such possible violations, we understand that some of our colleagues in the field are truly determined to carry out the program. Many of our teachers spend their own money for this,” Benjo Basas, TDC National Chairperson, said.

Due to a lack of preparation and uniform implementation confusing the field, the group insists on the immediate suspension of the program.

“We agree that there is a need for catch-up activities, but this shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all program,” Basas added.

Basas said that since schools have already had class schedules since the beginning of the School Year 2023-2024, the Catch-Up Fridays program only disrupts the regular teaching and learning process.

According to reports gathered by TDC, this may be the reason why many of the students choose not to attend Friday classes, defeating the very purpose of the program.

“Catch-up Friday is not a necessity and therefore must be immediately suspended,” Basas said.

Basas said that his group is willing to support any mode of learning recovery program of the DepEd upon proper consultation with stakeholders, especially teachers and school heads.