MEMBERS of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers held a sunrise protest in Mendiola today to mark the celebration of World Teachers’ Day and the opening of classes in public schools.

Teachers observed physical distancing as they brandished placards with messages such “Don’t leave poor, rural children behind!”, “Duterte pabaya sa edukasyon!”, “Ligtas na balik-eskwela pondohan!”

The group urged the government to genuinely honor teachers with adequate funds for safe reopening of schools.

“With the ongoing budget deliberations in Congress, we must ensure that adequate funds are allocated in critical inputs for education such as instructional materials, teaching expenses will be provided by the government and every child’s right access to quality and safe education will be respected,” ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro said.

Meanwhile, ACT Secretary-General Raymond Basilio said that basic needs for blended learning such as printed modules have not been fully  distributed.

“Nasayang ‘yung panahon ng pag-aantay at pagkakansela noong August 24 at hindi pa rin tayo in place doon sa mga basic na kailangan para sa opening,” Basilio said.

The group ended its protest by honking their vehicles’ horns to voice out its demand for a “safe, accessible, and quality education.”

“It is the Duterte administration’s responsibility to provide these basic demands for enough learning modules per student, available gadgets and laptops for both student and teachers for online classes,” Castro stressed.