DepEd: Teachers can walk out of classes at own risk

CEBU, Philippines - Schools cannot stop teachers from leaving their classes and join the scheduled protest versus the K to 12 program on June 13 but the regional director of the Department of Education warned such action will not be without consequence.

Dr. Julieta Jeruta told The Freeman editors and reporters in a roundtable yesterday that walking out from classes would reflect in the teachers' performance report and will constitute absence.

She said that while she respects the freedom of expression, such freedom is not absolute and teachers must keep the oath they took when they joined the workforce, which is to serve the teaching sector. 

She reminded the teachers of Republic Act 6713, which lays down the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards every public employee must observe.

Jeruta said that instead of hitting the streets, teachers should engage in dialogue to air their concerns and grievances to the proper body.

"Teachers should be exemplars for adherence and obedience," she said.

The "walkout" will be part of a nationwide action against K to 12.

Nino Olayvar, provincial coordinator of Kabataan Partylis, which will organize the local activity, said earlier the teachers can agree on how to participate without jeopardizing their classes.

Aside from the walkout, a rally would also be held outside the DepEd office. 

Criticism

Jeruta said the negative reaction toward the program is a natural consequence of fearing the unknown. She is optimistic that with its preparations, DepEd can pull through.

"Kahit meron diyan mga criticisms, we are not bitter. Hindi kami matitinag kasi alam naman namin na kung ano-ano iyong concerns, gumawa kami ng catch-up plan," she said.

"I'd like to point this out to the public that for every change that will happen, there will always be non-believers. Let's just prove the point then that we cannot get anything unless we risk," she added.

She said that compared to the changes made on the country's curriculum in the past, the transition to K to 12 started since 2012.

She said at least 2,780 teachers have been hired to handle Grade 11. The teachers are now undergoing capability-building trainings.

"If you'd ask me on the percentage, I can't really say 100 percent… majority of all the preparations that are made really address the crucial needs of the children," Jeruta said.

Senior High School co-vers the last two years of the K to 12 Program - Grades 11 and 12.  DepEd-7 projected around 84,000 students to attend Grade 11.

The construction of classroom to accommodate the Junior High School (Grade 7 to 10) completers showed varying results. Some classrooms had been completed while others are still underway.

"I'd like to point out that the plan for those classrooms includes already two years both for Grade 11 and 12. If you'll notice for the construction, we have completed for the first cohort or for Grade 11 and still ongoing for the whole year through for Grade 12. Isn't it that we are on the right track?" Jeruta said.

While having adequate facilities and a comfortable teaching environment may be ideal, Jeruta said these are not the end-all in teaching.

"I beg to disagree (to that criticism) because (DepEd) Region-7 has been working both for quality and relevance," she said.

She cited a research, which reportedly showed there is no significant relationship between good facilities and quality teaching.

Even if classes are held under a tree, she said, students will learn if the government can only extract competent, high caliber and resourceful educators immersed with modern-day teaching strategies and equipped with skills and technical trainings. — (FREEMAN)