DepEd: Teachers with COVID-19, symptoms, close contact exposure will have paid leaves

Teachers who tested positive for COVID-19, have symptoms or close contact exposure and need to isolate can avail of excused absence or paid leave, the Department of Education (DepEd) said Friday.

DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa said this is provided under Department Order 39 issued last September 20.

"Excused absence means they will be marked absent but they will still be paid their salaries. This is stated under DepEd Order 39 which is based on CSC (Civil Service Commission) Memorandum Circular Number 2, Series of 2022," Poa said in a news conference.

He, however, said that the limit to such paid leaves will be in accordance to what is provided under the CSC memorandum circular.

"Our teachers are civil servants, and are under civil service, so as to their rules, in terms of excused absences and the like, sumusunod po tayo sa CSC kasi sila ang may mandato riyan (we will follow the CSC because they have the mandate on that)," Poa said.

"We have to follow DOH (Department of Health) guidelines for close contact. As to the limit, we will refer to the CSC memorandum circular," he added.

The said CSC memo states that "in the event of circumstances abovementioned wherein the employee has exhausted his/her sick leave credits, Section 56 of the Omnibus Rules on Leave shall apply allowing the use of vacation leave credits in lieu of sick leave credits. In case the vacation leave credits have been exhausted, the employee may apply for sick leave of absence without pay."

Aside from paid leaves for teachers infected with COVID-9, with symptoms, and close contact of a positive case, Poa said Department Order 39 also provides for optional wearing of face mask in outdoor settings in accordance with the existing national policy, as well as mandatory handwashing facilities in schools alongside group hand washing activity among learners to prevent COVID-19 infection.

"Why a group hand washing activity? Lalo na sa mga bata, 'pag nakikita nila iyong mga kasama nila na sabay sabay sila naghuhugas ng kamay, may naeenganyo sila at mas nagiging habit sa kanila ang paghuhugas ng kamay," he said.

(Children, especially, when they see others washing their lands, they get encouraged to do the same and it will become a habit.)

As to ventilation, Poa said Department Order 39 provides that electric fans should be switched on in areas where there is proper ventilation to allow air to circulate.—AOL, GMA News