The Department of Education (DepEd) reported that more than 800 private schools will not operate for the school year 2020 to 2021 and more than 4,000 teachers and roughly 60,000 students will be affected.
“The pure Elementary is about 674, pure Junior High is about 22, purely SHS is 49. Those offering Junior HS up to grade 12 is about 11 and those who are offering from kinder to grade 12, sorry grade 10, is 65, and those from kinder to grade 12 is 25.” DepEd USec. Jesus Mateo disclosed.
The Education Department stated that the temporary closure of the schools is the result of lack of funds, low number of enrollees and the issue of safety due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition was saddened by the news since it means that many teachers will be affected and will lose their income. The group has asked DepEd to hasten the hiring process of private school teachers to teach in public schools in time for the opening of classes in October.
The DepEd assured that it is doing its best but it is not easy to hire teachers amidst the pandemic. The department is also drafting the guidelines for learners support aide if it is possible to include the displaced private teachers in the program.
Report from Kenneth Paciente
