Kinuwestiyon ng grupo ng mga guro ang pagpapatupad ng Department of Education (DepEd) ng Saturday class para mapunan ang nawalang oras sa pag-aaral bunsod ng kalamidad at holidays.

“Teachers have nothing to do with these suspensions; these could actually be considered as distortion of our class program. Thus, we should not be compelled to report every Saturday,” pahayag ni Benjo Basas, chairperson ng Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC).

“We believe that make-up classes, especially during Saturdays are not necessary at this point in time, it is simply unfair,” dugtong ni Basas at binanggit na naganap ang lost days noong third quarter ng school year.

Nanindigan si Basas na ang weekend ay nakalaan para sa kanilang mga pamilya.

“It is quite ironic that our teachers are always compelled to work beyond their official time, some even dedicate their weekend for their students and school, yet the DepEd does not set aside overtime pay for them and would deduct their every single minute of under time meager salaries,” aniya.

“Fortunately, we have completed all the quarterly programs from June to the end of January; thus, we are compliant to the school calendar contained in DepEd Order No. 18, s. 2014,” paliwanag ni Basas. “The fourth quarter is composed only of 40 days starting February 2 and ending on March 27, the last school day of the year. Therefore, we have no lost days; we are actually ahead of the expected accomplishment date.”

Bilang reaksyon, sinabi ni Education Secretary, Br Armin A. Luistro FSC na pag-usapan at resolbahin ang usapin sa division o regional level.