PRIORITIZE TEACHERS TO STRENGTHEN EDUCATION
(TDC Statement on the Opening of SY 2024-2025)

The Teachers Dignity Coalition (TDC) joins the entire DepEd system in the opening of classes for the 2024-2025 school year today, July 29, 2024. Despite the fact that over a thousand schools have either suffered damage or are currently serving as evacuation centers due to recent typhoons, habagat, and flooding, we eagerly anticipate the start of this new school year.

There are many reasons to be hopeful for the coming school year. First, we have a new secretary in former Senator Sonny Angara. The DepEd will also begin the phased implementation of a new curriculum, the MATATAG Curriculum. This school year will also mark the transition back to the old school calendar, or the June-March cycle. And despite some limitations and criticisms, the DepEd will implement several new policies aimed at addressing teachers welfare, including the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act, the Career Progression Policy, the reduction of administrative tasks, the rationalization of working hours and payment of overtime pay, and the anticipated small salary increase.

However, as in the past, our schools will continue to face numerous problems stemming from decades-long neglect, described by a lawmaker as a “universe of shortages.” These include a lack of classrooms and other facilities, books and other instructional materials, water and sanitation facilities, and the pressing need for teaching and non-teaching personnel and support staff. These issues come to light particularly at the start of classes, yet teachers and students grapple with the negative consequences daily. Our teachers’ resilience, patience, and perseverance supplement these shortages, exacerbated by various calamities that hit the country annually.

These perennial problems at DepEd present a significant challenge for Sec. Angara, especially given the high expectations placed upon him. During his nearly two decades as a lawmaker, Sec. Angara has established himself as a well-known advocate for education reforms and sound fiscal policy. Thus, we expect him to decisively address these issues and find solutions for the concerns of teachers, students, and the basic education system through a package of solutions we have dubbed Para sa Guro, Para sa Bata, Para sa Bansa.

Para sa Guro aims to improve teacher welfare with better remuneration, comprehensive benefits, legal support, insurance reform, simplified performance ratings, fair promotions, and high-quality training. Para sa Bata seeks to reduce teachers’ administrative duties, integrate discipline mechanisms into child protection policies, and address resource shortages in schools. Para sa Bansa advocates for updating the curriculum to reflect Philippine socio-cultural contexts, reviewing the K-12 program, reinstating Philippine history in high school, and protecting public education funds from corruption.

However, the most important aspect of all of this is prioritizing teachers’ welfare and socioeconomic situation. Ensuring that teachers are satisfied and fulfilled in their chosen profession is essential. Our educators should be proud to be public school teachers: motivated, energetic, highly productive, responsible, and well-trained. The Philippine Constitution mandates adequate remuneration, including just compensation, benefits, incentives, and state care, which can readily achieve this ideal status.

Invest in teachers to improve education, and everything else will follow. #

Reference:
Benjo Basas, TDC National Chairperson
09273356375