Teachers' group denounces Marcos class suspension order as insufficient fix

MANILA—The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) has lambasted President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s latest directive on class suspensions, contending that the measure represents a superficial response to systemic problems plaguing the education sector.

ACT's criticism came after the president signed Executive Order No. 130 on October 28, which permits schools to independently decide whether to suspend or resume in-person classes in coordination with local government units. The policy aims to give educational institutions greater flexibility in responding to various circumstances affecting classroom operations.

The teachers' organization characterized the order as a "band-aid solution" that places additional burdens on educators without addressing fundamental issues. ACT argued that the decentralized approach, while intended to streamline decision-making, sidesteps deeper structural challenges within the Philippine education system that require comprehensive reforms.

The group's position reflects broader concerns within the teaching profession about piecemeal policy approaches that shift responsibility to schools without providing necessary support systems or resources. Educational stakeholders have consistently called for holistic solutions that tackle infrastructure, funding, and working conditions alongside administrative reforms.