Teachers' day off; no classes today

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education (DepEd) has suspended classes in all public schools today to give teachers who served in yesterday’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections time to rest.

“In consideration of the efforts of our teachers exerted during the conduct of the 2010 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan election particularly their having to wait for the election materials practically overnight, DepEd declares that classes in all public elementary and high schools nationwide are suspended

tomorrow Tuesday, October 26, 2010,” Education Secretary Armin Luistro said in a statement issued yesterday.

DepEd Communications director Cristina Ganzon said classes in public schools in barangays where elections were suspended or extended until today will be suspended until tomorrow.

The Comelec has suspended and extended elections in 1, 599 barangays because of the late delivery of election materials.

Public school teachers, however, said the conduct of the elections was generally peaceful despite the delays in voting. 

“It’s okay so far. It has been generally peaceful, generally successful,” said Benjo Basas, national chairperson of the Teacher’s Dignity Coalition.

TDC said there were areas where election materials were delivered as late as 12 p.m. yesterday.