The Department of Education (DepEd) stated on Tuesday that it was just following the government’s directive in requiring all employees in Alert Level 1 locations to report to schools and offices physically.
The Department of Education claimed its policy was in line with the Office of the President’s Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 96, which outlines the COVID-19 alert level system’s mandatory on-site workforce in government offices.
It also stated that the policy was under the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) Resolution No. 163-A, which mandates that government offices in Alert Level 1 areas maintain a 100-percent onsite workforce, with off-site work subject to relevant rules and regulations issued by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the Office of the President.
DepEd’s Memorandum No. 29, series of 2022, titled “Work Arrangements in the Department of Education During the Imposition of Alert Level 1 System for COVID-19 Response,” all DepEd offices must have 100 percent on-site reporting capacity.
“We see the 100% onsite reporting as an opportunity to improve the implementation of our multiple learning delivery modalities, through a more efficient supervision and monitoring of the proper use of learning modules and online platform,” DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said in a statement.
DepEd defends 100% onsite reporting of personnel
“With this, we can facilitate school-level activities such as learning action cells, coaching and mentoring, remedial classes, and parent-teacher conferences,” she added.
According to the Department of Education, this will apply to all teaching and non-teaching professionals in all offices, schools, community learning centers, and contracts of service and task orders for both face-to-face and distance learning modes.
Meanwhile, under CSC MC No. 18, s. 1, remote and flexible work arrangements may be implemented. DepEd Order No. 11, s. 2020 and DepEd Order No. 11, s. Depending on the current COVID-19 warning level in the area where the offices, schools, and community learning centers are located, the date might be 2020.
Some teacher organizations have petitioned the Department of Education to suspend Memorandum No. 29, claiming that it is unrealistic for teachers to be physically present in classrooms when their students are learning from home. Some teachers have also expressed dissatisfaction with their schools’ internet connections.
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