With barely a few days to go before classes in public schools open, Senator Win Gatchalian pointed out the need to spare teachers from a congested workload to prevent burnout amid the country’s shift to distance learning.

Instead of hiring additional 10,000 teachers next year, Senator Win Gatchalian is urging the Department of Education (DepEd) to instead prioritize filling its remaining vacant positions and target displaced private school teachers.

Senator Win Gatchalian has filed Senate Resolution No. 526 seeking a Senate inquiry on the quality of teacher education and training in the country, including the performance of Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs).

While the Department of Education (DepEd) plans to hire “learner support aides” in the roll-out of distance learning, Senator Win Gatchalian said that they should only be deployed in low-risk areas and that rigorous health standards should be observed to prevent an uptick in COVID-19 cases when the country officially opens classes on October 5.

Addressing the concerns of teachers amid uncertainties in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic is the best way to celebrate National Teachers’ Month. For Senator Win Gatchalian, this is the most meaningful way to observe the month-long celebration which culminates on October 5, coinciding with the official school opening.

Senator Win Gatchalian urged more wholesale bandwidth providers to enter the provincial market to improve the speed of internet service for distance learning.  

Senator Win Gatchalian urged the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to fast-track the automation of reimbursing tuition and miscellaneous fees under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (Republic Act 10931), better known as the Free College Education Law.

Senator Win Gatchalian urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to utilize its P4 billion allocation under the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act (Republic Act 11494) or Bayanihan 2 to invest in technology for teachers’ use.

Senator Win Gatchalian expressed concern over the nearing depletion of gas output from the Malampaya natural gas field which is the second biggest source of electric power in the island of Luzon.