Deped-10 eyes hiring of displaced teachers for distance learning

NORTHERN Mindanao education department said Tuesday it was eyeing to fund the hiring of displaced teachers as tutors for distance learning as part of the government's coronavirus response measure.

Deped officials even urged the teachers to apply to Deped as learning facilitators knowing the plight of various private school teachers due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Noting constraints on distance learning using the modules during their dry run, the Deped-10 is open to hiring learning facilitators or job orders to aid learners.

"That’s the advantage na nag-dry run. Ma-identify ang mga learners na nahihirapan sa distance learning using the modules in their homes kasi may parents na nahihirapan na mag-assist," said DepEd-10 assistant regional director Victor De Gracia, Jr. during the NorMin COVID-19 Response Task Force press conference.

He added that hiring of facilitators is also possible especially with the overwhelming support of the local government units (LGUs) who are willing to help through their special education fund.

As for teachers' assistance, Gracia said they have already authorized the use of their August Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) for the procurement of materials for learning like bond papers and modules but he stressed that such funding is not enough to suffice the needs of all teachers.

There are LGUs who shouldered the expenses for the reproduction of modules while there are some who have difficulties in providing assistance. 

Thus, teachers seek for voluntary help from various stakeholders; including such in the Brigada Eskwela activities.

For the current number of teachers, the assistant regional director said they have enough teachers for the upcoming school year. 

"We have hired and inducted teachers. They are ready to serve in the opening of classes," he said.

The opening of classes for SY 2020-2021 in public schools is set October 5.

After conferring with the Office of the Executive Secretary on the applicability of the decision to private schools and other non-DepEd schools, DepEd clarifies that such private or non-DepEd schools that have already started their classes, or are scheduled to start classes.

August 24 or on other dates ahead of October 5, are allowed to proceed provided they are strictly using only distance learning modalities and that there are no face-to-face classes. (Recthie Tolinero/PIA10)