Nilinaw ng Department of Education (DepEd) na ang requirement nila na kailangang bakunado laban sa COVID-19 ang mga guro at mga kawaning lalahok sa face-to-face classes o in-person classes ay hindi isang uri ng diskriminasyon at sa halip ay naglalayon lamang na maprotektahan ang mga guro at ang kanilang mga estudyante.
Sa isang pahayag, sinabi ng DepEd na ang naturang polisiya ay alinsunod sa itinatakdang protocol ng pamahalaan na nagre-require ng vaccination o negative swab test results para sa mga empleyado na nagtatrabaho on-site.
“The Department of Education reiterates that the government policy of requiring employees who work on-site, including teaching and non-teaching personnel involved in face-to-face classes and in-school activities, to be vaccinated is being implemented as a way of preventing the spread of COVID-19 in schools and DepEd offices to protect learners, clients, and employees to the extent possible,” bahagi pa ng pahayag ng ahensiya.
“The said policy does not and is not intended to unjustly discriminate against any DepEd employee who chooses not to be vaccinated,” paglilinaw pa nito.
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Tiniyak rin ng DepEd na ang mga hindi bakunadong guro at empleyado ng kagawaran ay tinatrato ng patas dahil sila ay nananatiling obligado na magtrabaho at tumanggap ng kompensasyon base sa aplikableng alternatibong work arrangements.
Hindi rin umano maaaring tanggalin sa trabaho ang mga ito nang dahil lamang sa hindi pa sila bakunado laban sa COVID-19.
“The DepEd, consistent with national and international laws, respects the rights of every person, while recognizing the duty of the State to promote public health and general welfare, which includes protection of the equal right of everyone to safety and health,” dagdag pa ng DepEd.
“Let it be assured that the DepEd, in the performance of its mandate to ensure access to, promote equity in, and improve the quality of basic education, puts in priority the best interest of the learners, as well as the welfare of its employees,” anito pa.
Mary Ann Santiago
