THE ALLIANCE of Concerned Teachers expects Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio to give an honest assessment of the status of the education sector when she presents the Basic Education Report on January 30.

“On top of our list of expectations is for the Secretary to present an evidence-based nationwide assessment of the learning situation after two years of distance learning and four months resumption of face-to-face classes,” Vladimer Quetua, the group’s chairperson, said.

“We hope to hear an honest and realistic evaluation of where we are now, what do we need to focus on, and how do we recover from the learning crisis,” Quetua added.

The group wants to know what the Department of Education has done to address the shortages in classrooms, school furniture and equipment, learning resources, as well as on teachers and non-teaching personnel.

“Our teachers have also been waiting for months on DepEd’s concrete plans and actions regarding its promises of reducing our non-teaching duties and the grant of non-wage benefits” Quetua said.

He said that teachers expect some good news on the status of their Performance-Based Bonus in 2021 as well as the payment of the P5,000 balance in Service Recognition Incentive.

“Gusto rin naming marinig kung ano na ang tindig ang ginagawa ng ahensya hinggil sa aming panawagan para sa salary upgrading ng mga guro. Huling taon na ngayon ng pagpapatupad ng Salary Standardization Law V kung kaya dapat ay kumikilos na ang ahensya para mabigyan ng makabuluhang dagdag sweldo ang mga guro at kawani,” he added.