The Department of Education (DepEd) is developing the guidelines on hiring learning support aides or para-teachers to assist teachers and students during blended learning amid pandemic.
Education Undersecretary Jess Mateo said in a press conference Monday that the assistants would work together with the teachers in providing education through various learning modalities.
“Ano po ba ang rationale ng hiring na ito? Unang-una, to support teachers and parents in the delivery of basic education services to the learner in this time of new normal,” he said.
Mateo said the learning support aides would guide students and parents, assist teachers, and track the learners’ progress.
The DepEd official said the para-teachers could receive P6,000 to P11,000 per month.
Qualifications include at least a senior high school graduate or with two years of study in college and should be 21 to 59 years old. Mateo added even those without training and experience could apply.
He added applicants should preferably live with the community of teachers and students.
However, Mateo said they aim to hire existing applicants in DepEd for the school year 2020-2021, provisional teachers in senior high schools, and Licensure Examination for Teachers passers.
Also read: DepEd, CHED to give cash aid to displaced workers, students
DepEd eyes hiring assistants for teachers, students
DepEd will also factor in the merit and fitness, location, learner-teacher ratio, and profile of households when accepting the teaching assistants, Mateo said.
School division offices and schools would identify the need for para-teachers in their areas. When the concerned schools open the application, applicants could contact them and submit the required documents.
The teaching assistant positions are under job order for at least six months and will be subject to renewal.
Aside from para-teachers, DepEd also needs to hire additional 43,000 teachers for the school year 2020-2021.
“Tiningnan din namin ‘yung hiring ng DepEd at lumalabas na mayroon pang 43,000 na mga available positions for teachers natin, marami pa medyo nagulat din ako,” said Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of Senate Committee on Basic Educations, Culture, and Arts.
According to the legislator, there are 3,200 displaced private school teachers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which, if qualified, can be absorbed by DepEd.