THE TEACHERS’ Dignity Coalition hopes the Department of Education will clarify the extent of Covid19 infection in the agency following alarming reports of teachers and employees of the department being infected with the deadly virus.

Benjo Basas, national chairperson of TDC, said the group wanted to learn if there would be assistance to be extended to teachers and personnel suffering from Covid19, and what are the liabilities if field officials require teachers to report physically,

“Some of these reported or even confirmed cased were attributed to the teachers’ physical reporting in their workplace. How can we convince the public that the system is ready for August 24opening when in fact, many of our teachers fear the possible contagion,” said Basas.

The group addressed the query to Education Secretary Leonor  Briones.

Citing the practice of the police force, Basas said, “The PNP from time to time releases information on the number of COVID cases in their ranks. We need the same data from the DepEd, because it will help us analyze the situation and to properly respond to it.”

The TDC earlier confirmed that the group president for National Capital Region (NCR) Nono Enguerra, a teacher in Manila, tested positive for the dreaded virus along with four other colleagues after they attended a face-to-face meeting called by school authorities in total disregard to the DepEd guidelines during the pandemic.

Enguerra is now in isolation but said he is recovering from the virus.

“Medyo maayos naman na ako, may kaunting ubo na lang. Pero sabi sa akin ng doktor, hindi na raw ako ite-test kung negative na sa virus. Basta  kapag nawala na ang symptoms, automatic daw na recovered na,” Enguerra said.