The Department of Education (DepEd) is monitoring the mental health of teachers who are also in need of psychosocial intervention during a pandemic as class opening approaches.
“Nag-imbita tayo ng mga eksperto sa mga bagay na ito na tumutulong sa atin sa paggawa ng ating mga programs at saka ng counselling (We invited experts for these matters to help us create programs and conduct counselling),” DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said.
Although DepEd has admitted the lack of guidance counselors, it said that it is continuing its upskilling activities for teachers who may provide support in the counselling drive of the agency.
“So iba’t-ibang mga level ito, hindi kaya, hindi kakasya ‘yung guidance counselor (There are various level for this. Guidance counselors are not enough) to help us through this. It is not only the learners, it’s everybody,” Briones claimed.
The DepEd NCR disclosed that it has not recorded any suicide case among students during the pandemic. It added that being at home has played a great role in this concern since students are monitored by their guardians. However, the education department said that cases of cyberbullying must also be given attention to.
Meanwhile, a youth group is seeking the issuance of an executive order by President Rodrigo Duterte to impose an academic freeze until January to give way for the preparation of the government’s education sector. – Report from Kenneth Paciente
