Teachers want to postpone the school opening from Aug. 24 to 2021 for elementary pupils and high school students amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers Philippines and the Teachers' Dignity Coalition fear that teachers and students would face a bigger crisis if school opening would be pushed on Aug. 24.
"With the health and safety of our students, colleagues and millions of Filipinos at stake, and our commitment to ensuring the youth’s right to free and quality education, the ACT Philippines forwards a five-point demand that the government shall effect before school opens to teachers and staff on June 1 and to learners on Aug. 24.
"Without addressing all five, no return to schools shall take place. The safety of students and teachers comes first," the group said.
Its five-point pre-requisite for school opening included the employment of a comprehensive medical and socio-economic response to the crisis, funding and establishment of health and safety measures at the school level, accessibility to quality education, provision of requisites for all modes of learning, protection of education workers’ labor rights and grant necessary benefits, and conduct of democratic consultations with teachers, parents and learners.