Health interventions crucial for enhancing learning outcomes —Angara

Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Thursday emphasized that improving learners’ health is essential to addressing poor academic performance.

Angara said many students struggle in school because of untreated medical conditions.

“So common illness diyan sa kids yung mata nila, kasi apektado yung pagbabasa nila, ang eyesight nila," Angara said during an ambush interview at Munuyan Elementary School following a visit led by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

(A common illness among kids involves their eyes, which affects their reading and eyesight.)

Aside from learners, teachers' health is also crucial in addressing poor academic performance.

"Malaking bagay yung pagpunta ng PhilHealth. E diba yung mga teacher diba naha-highblood.... Yung ibang teachers natin masakit ang ulo, masakit ang pakiramdam so malaking tulong yun. May iba walang oras magpa-check up. Malaking tulong yung YAKAP (Yaman ng Kalusugan) program,” he said.

(This is a big help because some truly cannot learn well since they cannot read properly. Some teachers suffer from headaches and do not feel well, so this is a big help. Others have no time for check-ups. The YAKAP program is a big help.)

The YAKAP program, implemented by PhilHealth, provides health services in schools.

Angara also said administrative paperwork for teachers has been significantly reduced, to help lessen the stress and workload of teachers. 

“Binawasan na namin ang mga dokumento ng mga teachers by 59% nabawasan,” he said.

(No, we have already reduced teachers’ required documents by 59 percent.)

On possible increases in teacher benefits, Angara said the DepEd supports the proposal in principle but acknowledged fiscal constraints.

“Siyempre pabor tayo diyan dahil pabor sa ating teachers yan. Pero naiintindihan natin maraming gastusin ang pamahalaan," he said. 

(Of course we favor that because it benefits our teachers. But we understand the government has many expenses. —VAL, GMA Integrated News