More than flowers and praises, teachers deserve dignity (Statement for World Teachers’ Day 2021)
This school year will be the second chapter of Philippine education under the pandemic. Last September 13, a new school year was, according to the DEpEd, successfully opened. But we have to forgo most of the excitement that accompany school openings.
Only a month earlier, new cases of infection hovered in the vicinity of the dreaded 20K per day, a streak of record highs Filipinos could only watch with their eyes. Then came the announced pilot implementation of face-to-face classes in some 120 schools that seems to have miraculously “managed” the Covid-19 inflation somewhat.
On world teachers’ day: Our new ‘front liners’ rush on preparations while Gov Mamba greeted them with criticisms-Assert
Instead of kind words for risking life and limb as they confront education in new normal, the teachers were greeted by ungrateful and irresponsible remarks of Governor Mamba. ‘Sumasahod lang, pero walang ginagawa,’ was the governor’s criticism.
No amount of explanation, which is not even a sincere apology, from Governor Mamba could appease the teachers. His display of insensitivity towards the teachers’ plight is a manifestation of how detached government officials are to the cries of woes and despair of teachers, the pillars of education who have been trying to build the eroded moral values of this society. No thanks to the culprits, the corrupt officials.
Teachers’ efforts are time and again been disregarded and push to the sidelines. This new normal brought us all to a radically changed education landscape that is bringing unimaginable toll on teachers. The governor’s remarks just show how detached he is to the realities on the ground. Teachers are on call 24/7 to respond to chat-groups of learners and parents and of their superiors. Unlimited messages of instructions and commands from their bosses any time of the day implicitly tell them that they are on call 24/7. The new ‘work from home’ arrangements for teachers had already taken most of their waking hours and rob them of their time for their families and themselves.
Six weeks since the announcement of the extension of the opening of classes, DEPED was still not able to deliver the essentials for blended learning. During DEPED’s press conferences and interviews, they showcase exemplary schools that do not represent the general situation on the ground.
The six weeks of the extension were spent on the non-essentials like bombarding teachers with so many webinars, despite the fact that most of these will not be used in blended learning. Most enrollees chose the modular approach and because the majority of learners do not have internet access. So for what are the endless webinars? Hence, after six weeks, the much-needed modules are still to be produced. This prompted teachers and school principals to find ways and means to produce urgently needed learning materials.
‘From front liners we become print liners,’ jokingly says Randy Alfon, a Bulacan teacher – leader. He and his co-teachers, just like the rest, rush their ‘printing jobs’ for modules and learning activity sheets or LAS.
Teachers could not even think of pausing to commemorate the World Teachers’ Day which happens to be on October 5. How could they? This past two weeks, they have been printing materials up to the wee hours of the morning. Teachers have been complaining of being ‘zombies’ with only four to five hours of sleep.
With no health insurance and health support, teachers are literally putting their lives at risk in performing their duties. The demand for mass testing for teachers was not heeded. Our basic demand for DEPED to address the gaps and inequalities in education new normal all fell on deaf ears making the ‘education for all’ slogan, just that, a mere slogan. So many of our learners especially the least privileged are still left behind. DEPED is content with the turnout of enrollees when they know damn well that this is not an assurance of access to education. Without the needed support to families that are not capable of performing home-assisted learning, education access will just remain a call and a goal.
Time and again we witness how DEPED fails us in extending needed support and services while we perform our duties and social responsibilities. Just like how this government fails its people in dealing with this pandemic crisis. Just like how it has been failing us as we battle with past disasters.
Thus, on the occasion of the World Teachers’ Day, it is with great resolve that we vow with utmost vigor to forward our issues and concerns. We resolve to join the collective voices of our people who, like us, are continually being displaced in this pandemic and are further disenfranchised by the government’s mis-priorities, inaction, and often anti-poor policies.
Let us not forget that all the rights we enjoy now are fruits of long years of struggle of our forebears in the teachers’ movement. Let us bear in mind that all the pro-teacher laws we invoke in claiming for what is ours are hard-earned victories. Not a single benefit was delivered to us in a silver platter.
Our years of world teachers’ day commemoration and our years of service as teachers should have already taught us that we only have ourselves to rely on. The likes of Governor Mamba and his league in the government once again brings the message that we can never count on them.
Thus, in this significant day, let us commit to all the more strengthen our unions and associations. It is the only one that would genuinely fight for our rights and welfare. It is the only one that could restore the dignity of the teaching profession.
Official Statement on World Teachers Day Reference: ARLENE JAMES PAGADUAN 0920 659 5863 National Chairperson October 5, 2020
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TDC will surprise the crowd with their flash mob, a synchronized upbeat dance of some 250 participants from all over Metro Manila with the theme of regaining the dignity and pride of the teaching profession.
“This time we will use dance to show the many faces of Filipino teachers and their prevailing condition. We will also challenge the authorities to prioritize teachers and public education sector especially in making policies for development and funding for social services.” Said Benjo Basas, the group’s national cahirperson.
TDC will use the songs “Sino ba ang Titser?” composed by educator-musician Bobet Mendoza and “Guro, Ilaw ng Dunong” regarded as TDC national anthem. This is the first time that a flash mob of teachers will be performed in a DepEd event.
“We join this celebration and festivities because we appreciate the National Teachers’ Month declaration, however we challenge the government to institute tangible programs for teachers and public education system.” Basas added.
Basas scored on the government which he said is putting more priorities to pork and other perks of those in power.
“While the budget department is putting very huge amount of funds for PDAF, DAP and other discretionary funds for executive and legislative officials, the resources for basic social services especially public education were left behind.”
Basas argued that for fiscal year 2013 and 2014 there is no increase in their salaries or incentives and their bonuses are tax deducted.
“If the government will keep on prioritizing the discretionary funds of politicians over teachers and education sector spending, the national teachers’ month declaration would remain empty and lip service appreciation.” Basas continued.
Reference: Benjo Basas- 09205740241
NEWS RELEASE
October 4, 2013
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Teachers, families, hear mass on World Teachers’ Day
From a seemingly unusual break from traditional marches and demonstrations that marked the commemoration of World Teachers’ Day (WTD) every 5th of October, the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) will celebrate their big day thru a holy mass that will be attended by some 200 teachers from Metro Manila.
“We will join the whole nation in national prayer for teachers. This time, we want to celebrate this day with our families and the families of our pupils and students- the people whom we pledged to give our untiring service despite the many limitations of our government.” Said Emmalyn Policarpio, a grade school teacher from Valenzuela City and the group’s spokesperson as she announced TDC’s celebration at St. Peter Church in Commonwealth Avenue on Friday.
Nancy De Leon, an elementary school teacher of Mandaluyong for the past 40 years says the mass is also intended to give thanks to the Lord for the wisdom and physical strength. “As a teacher I am committed to serve the young people and I do it in the grace of God. Because I believe, with God being the center of our intention, we cannot go wrong.” She said.
She added that she does not consider teaching as a means of living but rather a vocation. “When I started teaching, I knew that this is not a good source of income. It’s more of a mission rather than profit. I am more focused on developing a well-rounded personality for every child- not purely academics but how they will face life in the future and be successful and productive citizens.” She added.
Policarpio on her part appreciated the government for declaring the National Teachers’ Month and thanked the institutions that initiated a nationwide campaign to recognize the role of teachers, including the DepEd and private institutions like the Metrobank Foundation and CBCP and the media. “We are really grateful that the sacrifices we make are being recognized by all sectors of society.”
Metrobank Foundation and the DepEd spearheaded the National Teachers’ Month Campaign a few years ago that resulted to the official presidential proclamation last year signed by President Aquino last year declaring September 5 to October 5 of every year as National Teachers’ MOnth. The CBCP endorses this year’s celebration and even adopted the national prayer for teachers on October 5 and the different TV and radio stations have been doing their share to thank the teachers since the beginning of a month-long celebration.
Policarpio however, reminded the government that a mere recognition would not be enough as they also need economic relief and also prayed that the pending bill granting them a P9000 increase in salaries be enacted the soonest possible time. “We are thankful for flowers and praises, but surely we also need economic upgrade.” She ended.
The special mass for teachers which will also be celebrated in Cebu and other cities will coincide with the regular 5:00PM mass in St. Peter Church and will be officiated by Fr. Antonio Labiao, Jr., the shrine rector. After the homily, the priest will allow Ms Nancy De Leon to take the podium and discuss in brief the significance of the World Teachers’ Day celebration. After the mass, the group is expected to line-up along Commonwealth Avenue to hold a short program.
Emmalyn Policarpio, TDC Spokesperson: 0939-7798647
Nancy De Leon, Mandaluyong Teacher: 09395800219
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Teachers and employees of the Department of Education (DepEd) welcome the commencement of the National Teachers’ Month celebration in accordance with Presidential Proclamation 242 signed by President Benigno Aquino III last year.
“The non-teaching personnel of the Department of Education (DepEd) join our teachers in celebrating the National Teachers’ Month and we call on the Aquino government to provide better compensation to our teachers by declaring the P9000 salary increase of teachers and education workers and the provision of additional of additional P3000 personal emergency relief allowance as priority of his administration. That would be the best gift for the country’s unsung untiring teachers.” Said Atty. Domingo Alidon, president of the DepEd National Employess’ Union (DepEd NEU).
On his part, Benjo Basas, a public school teacher in Caloocan City and the national chairperson of Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) welcomes the celebration and express gratitude to the government for issuing a legal declaration of the celebration.
“We have been lobbying for a declaration of National Teachers’ Holiday every 5th of October, the day declared by UNESCO as World Teachers’ Day in 1994, yet the president gave us the whole month, from September 5 to October 5 of every year as National Teachers’ Month and we appreciate the gesture.” He said.
Basas noted that prior to last year’s declaration, the commemoration of October 5 was only marked by token celebrations. He also cited the official celebration of some countries in South East Asia which was began as early as 1956 in Malaysia, 1957 in Thailand and 1958 in Vietnam.
The TDC however said that the best way to celebrate the nobility of teaching profession is to recognize their value in terms of compensation and not through praises.
“Filipino teachers are among the world’s least paid teachers. Yet, the Philippine state recognizes the important role of teachers in the society and actually mandates that teachers should be given adequate remuneration and other means of job satisfaction and fulfilment.” Basas furthered quoting some provisions of 1987 Constitution.
Both groups push for the P9000increase in salaries of teachers and DepEd personnel which were pending before the Senate and the additional P3000 for their personal emergency relief allowance (PERA), both proposals were initiated by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.
On Wednesday, September 5, some 200 members of the TDC with the support of NEU will stage ‘boodle fight’ to symbolize the socio-economic condition of public school teachers.
“We do hope that our lawmakers, who always exalt teachers in their political speeches, will not fail us.” Basas ended. #
For details:
Benjo Basas
TDC National Chair
0920-5740241/ 3853437
Atty. Domingo Alidon
President, DepEd NEU
0915-5427627/ 6371241
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