Robredo wants virus test for teachers, fund realignment for distance learning tools

Jamaine Punzalan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo is urging the Department of Education to conduct mass testing of teachers for COVID-19 as well as set aside funds for the physical check-ups and medicines of teachers, their safety gear, and hazard pay. In the letter sent to Education Secretary Leonor Briones, Robredo suggested a “COVID-19 mass testing mechanism specifically for teachers, with testing and distribution of results done before classes begin.”<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">READ: VP Leni Robredo sent a letter to DepEd Sec. Leonor Briones detailing some of the concerns of teachers ahead of the August 24 class openings. <a href="https://t.co/zp74KX4ZEd">pic.twitter.com/zp74KX4ZEd</a>— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/ABSCBNNews/status/1293734184981131264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2020</a></blockquote><div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script></div>Robredo, whose late mother was an educator, said the DepEd earmarked P29.5 billion for the rehabilitation of school buildings this year, which would no longer be a priority given the shift to online classes.&quot;This amount can be used to procure the needed gadgets and equipment for distance learning, as well as address the health concerns of educators,&quot; the Vice President said.The DepEd also set aside some P700 million for the training of teachers this year. Most of these training will shift online and the department can save on travel and lodging expenses, which can be used for the coronavirus test of teachers, Robredo said. Classes are set to open on Aug. 24, with the DepEd offering several options for distance learning, including the use of printed and digital modules, online classes, television, and radio. <ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/08/10/20/how-some-schools-plan-to-implement-distance-learning-amid-pandemic">How some schools plan to implement distance learning amid pandemic</a></li></ul>Around 14 million households and 34,700 schools lack internet access. Only 7 million out of 20 million public school students have subscribed to DepEd Commons, a platform where they could access lessons on their own, said Robredo. “Perhaps it would be prudent for government to devote significant resources in setting up internet hubs in schools and communities, so that the gaps in access are addressed,” she said. The Vice President also urged DepEd to cascade information on how teachers can get printed learning modules and who would cover expenses for their printing and distribution. The DepEd earlier said it could not afford to test all teachers for COVID-19 but the agency has a testing protocol in its <a href="https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/DO_s2020_014.pdf">health standards</a>.The agency&#x27;s protocol allows testing for education workers who show symptoms of the respiratory disease or were exposed to confirmed cases, among other grounds.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/09/20/ex-deped-official-wants-to-delay-school-opening">Ex-DepEd official wants to delay school opening </a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/05/20/ched-eyes-face-to-face-classes-in-low-risk-mgcq-areas-by-january-2021">CHED eyes limited face-to-face classes in low-risk MGCQ areas by January 2021</a></li></ul>

Vice President Leni Robredo is urging the Department of Education to conduct mass testing of teachers for COVID-19 as well as set aside funds for the physical check-ups and medicines of teachers, their safety gear, and hazard pay.

Vice President Leni Robredo is urging the Department of Education to conduct mass testing of teachers for COVID-19 as well as set aside funds for the physical check-ups and medicines of teachers, their safety gear, and hazard pay.

Robredo wants virus test for teachers, fund realignment for distance learning tools | ABS-CBN

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Robredo wants virus test for teachers, fund realignment for distance learning tools

Robredo wants virus test for teachers, fund realignment for distance learning tools

Jamaine Punzalan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 13, 2020 11:20 AM PHT

|

Updated Aug 13, 2020 12:12 PM PHT

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Leni Robredo

Leonor Briones

DepEd

online classes

distance learning

coronavirus test teachers

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COVID-19

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