Not only students but also teachers skip Catch-Up Fridays — the new learning recovery initiative of the Department of Education (DepEd), according to Teachers' Dignity Coalition (TDC) on Sunday, March 17.
In an interview on DZRH Stories: Pinoy Documentaries, TDC national chairman Benjo Basas shared that some teachers in undisclosed schools were absent during the recently held Catch-Up Fridays due to unbearable workload.
"Last week, meron akong post na marami sa mga bata ay hindi pumapasok, nangangalahati yung klase natin. Tapos nung Friday, pati pala mga teacher ay hindi na rin pumapasok dahil nabibigatan sa trabaho," he said.
Launched on January 12, Catch-up Friday aims to improve students' performances by designating Friday of the week a day of reading and learning values, peace, and health.
For Basas, Catch-Up Fridays is more of an inconvenience than an intervention for students.
"Ginulo niya [Catch-up Fridays] yung program, considering na kulang at mababawasan ng dalawang linggo yung ating school days kasi magka-cut tayo ng May 31, tapos na yung klase natin. Nabawasan na ng two weeks, nababawasan pa weekly," he said.
He also raised that the education department does not provide materials to teachers on the implementation of the weekly learning recovery program and students are not interested in learning.
As per Basas, DepEd should temporarily halt the Catch-up Fridays to address the issues raised.
Earlier this month, the TDC called for the suspension of the weekly learning recovery program.
Basas said in an earlier statement that their suspension call stemmed from the alleged selling of booklets or workbooks for Catch-up Fridays by DepEd employees.
"Due to a lack of preparation and uniform implementation causing confusion in the field, the group insists on the immediate suspension of the program," he said.
DepEd, according to reports, rejected the suspension calls and maintained that Catch-Up Friday continues.
