Under the current Marcos Jr. administration, delayed and low salaries continue to plague public school teachers not only in the provinces covered by Northern Mindanao but also in the entire country. This is despite the recent pronouncement of Marcos Jr. that supporting teachers and increasing their respective pay is one of his priorities.
ACT Teachers Partylist filed today their candidacy papers as they seek re-election in the partylist elections next year in their bid to continue their fight for the rights and welfare of Filipino teachers.
By DEE AYROSO
It is the Duterte administration’s responsibility to provide these basic demands for enough learning modules per student, available gadgets and laptops for both student and teachers for online classes, adequate health measures are in place to ensure health safety for both teacher and student, and sufficient teaching expenses allowances for our teachers in this new normal for education.”
“It’s the low salary that is pushing teachers to go out in the streets and protest.”
“Amid the opposition to this measure by Duterte, Education Secretary Leonor Briones, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno and the rest of the economic managers, teachers are even more adamant in demanding for their immediate pay hike.”
Two teachers interviewed by Bulatlat shared joys, inspiration, and overcoming anxieties as they help the Lumad children with their education, which they were deprived of for so long.
“They are determined and eager to learn.”
“They asked, ‘Are you our new teacher?’ and the elders began to thank me. It was a touching moment.”
Teachers lament that state security forces get doubled salaries in 2018, but not teachers.
“The future of the next generation relies on teachers. That is why even if it’s difficult, I am determined to continue teaching.”