Welfare of teachers under Bayanihan 2
Zeny S. Caturla
WE ARE very thankful that there are public officials in the country who are looking after the welfare of teachers and learners amidst the health crisis we are facing.
Take for instance Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who is the chair of the committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture. I have read that he has urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to utilize the P4 billion funds from the Bayanihan 2 Act to address the digital needs of teachers.
The funds have been allocated to assist DepEd in putting up Information Technology (IT) and digital infrastructure, for the implementation of digital education, and the use of alternative learning modalities, including the printing and delivery of selflearning modules.
In a recent hearing, the good senator said the funds should be allocated to help teachers in their quest to be more technologically savvy – which can be useful even after the pandemic.
It turns out that the DepEd is still awaiting confirmation from the Department of Budget and Management on the availability of the funds, even as the agency is now preparing for the October 5 school opening.
Because of the budget limitation, the Department has to make a decision as to what to prioritize: teachers’ laptops, self-learning modules, among other items.
We just hope that the funds will be used for its primary purpose: to support the implementation of the DepEd’s Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BELCP).
There are also provisions under Bayanihan 2 on the provision of loan assistance, subsidies, discounts, and grants for the purchase of distance learning tools, including computers, laptops, tablets, and other Information and Communications Technology (ICT) devices.
Further, the senator also said that under the law, a portion of the Special Education Fund (SEF) of local government units (LGUs) can be used to support the use of alternative learning modalities, digital education, and digital infrastructure.
Thank you, dear senator, for always looking after the welfare of the people under the Education sector. It is our fervent hope and prayer that we all overcome this pandemic, which has affected even our young learners.
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The author is Principal I at Siñura Elementary School