'Benefits, not platitudes:' Teachers asked real support during National Teachers' Month
By Creselda Canda-Lopez
"As always, expect oversupply of platitudes from ghostwriters paid for by politicians using taxpayers' money…elected officials never miss opportunities like this to have their names ringing in our ears, enough to last till next election," Teachers Dignity Coalition (TDC) Chairman Benjo Basas group of educators called on public officials to ditch "empty" praises during National Teachers' Month and instead deliver teachers' long-overdue benefits mandated by law.
Tuesday,September 5 marks start of annual month-long celebration of National Teachers' Month which will culminate on October 5.
This year's celebration themed "Together4Teachers" aims to honor Filipino teachers " partners in building patriotic and child-friendly nation," according to press release from office of Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio.
"We are going to hear, yet again, sweet words praising teachers for their sacrifices and heroic deeds," TDC chairperson said.
Basas pointed out benefits mandated by 50-year-old Magna Carta for Public School, such as staggered pay increases and 60-day rest period between school years, has yet to be implemented in full.
"Meantime, teachers' long-overdue salary increases remain dangling carrot at end of stick, with no hope of getting serious attention as they slice pie called education budget," Basas said.
"Teachers' health benefits are no closer to lawmakers' minds than they were over half century ago, when few good men birthed Magna Carta for Public School Teachers," he stressed.
Teachers' group added while it appreciates celebration of teachers' month as it "reminds us of nobleness of teaching profession," government must also invest in teachers to ensure robust nation.
During Department of Education's budget briefing at House, DepEd Undersecretary Gloria Jumamil-Mercado said department would support teachers' request for pay increases if backed by empirical evidence.
This came after Duterte said Marcos administration is exploring long-term pay increases for public school teachers.
In 2022, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said DepEd is non-compliant with sections of Magna Carta Section 22, public school teachers are entitled to free annual physical examinations, Section 26 provides retiring teacher should be promoted one rank higher and salary of that rank should be basis of computation for retirement benefits.
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