As the education sector scrambles to prepare for the resumption of classes in October, Rizal 2nd District Rep. Fidel Nograles expressed his support for an initiative by the Department of Education to hold mental sessions for its leaders.
Education Secretary Leonor Briones recently revealed that the agency had conducted the Kaginhawaan for Top Leaders of DepEd sessions aimed at ensuring mental health.
“We should exhaust all efforts to address the fears of our teachers and other frontliners.”
“Suportado natin ang naging inisyatiba ng DepEd ukol sa mental health. Clear heads are needed in facing the challenges the education sector faces due to the pandemic—our leaders need to have unclouded minds as they plan how our schools will cope with the changes forced upon us by COVID-19,” Nograles said.
He added, however, that the DepEd should likewise create such programs for teachers and other education personnel on the ground.
“Our teachers also deal with various anxieties over the very uncertain circumstances that we are living under. Hindi lang mental health, kundi overall health ang dapat na siguruhin natin para sa ating mga guro at iba pang education frontliners,” the neophyte lawmaker said.
In this regard, Nograles echoed the call of other camps to realign the education department’s P29 billion budget for rehabilitation of school buildings towards providing health support to teachers, as well as procure necessary equipment.
“As much as possible we should also exhaust all efforts to address the fears of our teachers and other frontliners, and in guaranteeing that they are fully equipped,” the solon said.
“Our teachers also deal with various anxieties over the very uncertain circumstances.”
He also said that the postponement of school opening from August to October should give more time for DepEd to put in place a safer and more effective system.
“Umaasa tayong gagamitin ng DepEd ang extension na ito para punan ang mga pagkukulang at ayusin ang mga dapat ayusin para sa mga estudyante, at maging sa mga guro,” Nograles added.