A total of 726 para-teachers have been hired in Antique to assist public school students for the next three months as part of the blended learning approach.

The hiring started on March 1, Donnabelle Baldonado, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Antique provincial office information officer, said in an interview on Tuesday.

The para-teachers will be receiving a daily wage of PHP395.

The hiring of the personnel was through the collaboration of DOLE, the Antique provincial government, and the Department of Education (DepED).

DepEd regional director Ramir B. Uytico, in a press conference, said the provincial government of Antique because of its concern in the learning of the DepEd enrollees and due to the absence of face-to-face classroom instruction initiated the hiring of the para-teachers through the Government Internship Program (GIP) of the DOLE.

GIP is a government-run program that aims to employ youth, aged 18-30, for a three- to a six-month internship opportunity to pursue work in the public service sector, both local and national government units.

“I salute the provincial government for having a heart for the learners,” he said.

Antique is the only province in Western Visayas that hired para-teachers to assist students.

Uytico said parents, who are having a difficult time helping their children with their lessons, will be aided by the para-teachers.

He also said that he is impressed with the willingness of the para-teachers to assist the elementary and secondary students with their modules.

“I also thank the para-teachers for your love to the children,” he added.

From September 1 to December 15 last year, the DOLE Antique provincial office hired 700 para-teachers to assist the DepEd learners.

The para-teachers were assigned to all the 590 barangays of Antique and the DepEd district offices.

Through the GIP, the para-teachers were paid by DOLE for conducting home visitations with the DepEd enrollees and for tutoring them. (PNA)