Public school teachers need support, too

Rosalyn Y. Mendoza

THIS school year will be different, that’s a fact. This is because the Department of Education will be offering new modes of learning for the millions of students in the country, in view of the health crisis we are experiencing.

Among the modes of learning to be used by our students will be online learning, which will make use of laptops, desktops or tablets. This will also make use of internet connectivity.

Local government units were quick to hand out support to the learners and to schools by providing them with internet connection and/or gadgets for the use of the students.

But what about the teachers?

This is where a senator of the country comes in. Senator Grace Poe wants the government to grant public school teachers allowances for internet connectivity as the country’s basic education system shifts to digital learning.

She filed Senate Resolution 456, which urges the DepEd to grant internet allowance to elementary and secondary public school teachers during the conduct of online classes.

This, according to the senator, is to “unburden” them of extra expenses. We appreciate the senator for thinking of our welfare. She understands that internet connectivity not only poses as challenge to students, but teachers as well. This has long been a problem, even before COVID arrived and disrupted our lives.

According to Poe, teachers should also be allowed to avail of discounts for their internet load, and the government should ensure that teachers are given needed assistance.

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The author is Administrative Assistant II at Guagua West District Division of

Pampanga