The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) and the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) said the death of a Grade 4 pupil in Cavite following a school deworming activity has brought attention to long-standing gaps in the country’s public education system.
Earlier, initial medical findings cited by the Department of Education (DepEd) showed that a Grade 4 pupil from Trece Martires City, Cavite, died after an infection progressed into septic shock.
The pupil was hospitalized on July 3 after taking part in a routine school deworming activity on July 2.
In a statement released on July 14, the TDC said the incident should serve as a wake-up call to reassess the condition of public schools.
The group said the tragedy should not be treated as an isolated case but as a sign of deeper issues affecting the country’s public education system.
It called on the government to address these concerns by increasing funding, providing adequate staffing, and adopting policies that prioritize the safety and welfare of learners and teachers.
The TDC also said there are not enough school nurses and other health personnel, leaving teachers to perform responsibilities beyond the scope of their profession.
It added that teachers continue to carry out tasks that should be handled by agencies such as the Department of Health, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Commission on Elections.