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No public sch teacher to retire teacher 1
By Creselda Canda-Lopez
“It is not only readiness of school that needs to be considered, but also physical, psychological and financial readiness of parents, children and even teachers…many of our citizens were affected, and some of them lost their homes or damaged equipment…others even lost their loved ones,” Teachers Dignity Coalition (TDC) chairman Benjo Basas said opening of classes will proceed in most schools across country today even as some areas affected by recent typhoon, monsoon rains and flooding, including Metro Manila, are asking for week’s postponement.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara ordered case-by-case approach upon President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s orders to push through with school opening, except in areas where it is not feasible.
In areas severely affected, local government executives and school officials have authority to postpone classes, Department of Education (DepEd) announced.
Public school teachers are asking mayors in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces to reschedule school opening in their constituencies to allow their residents, students and teachers more time to prepare for school year following massive flooding that hit their areas last week.
TDC made appeal due to need to consider “physical, psychological and financial preparedness” of parents, students and teachers following onslaught of Typhoon Carina.
Latest data from DepEd showed 979 schools across five regions would not be opening classes today due to need to clean and rehabilitate public schools affected by Carina.
Of this number, 452 are in Central Luzon, 231 in Ilocos region, 225 in Metro Manila, 67 in Calabarzon and four are in Central Visayas.
“So now, we are calling on our mayors and governors to use their authority to consider at least one week’s postponement and talk to their respective constituents…and, if possible, parents and teachers would be consulted directly,” Basas said, emphasizing assessments of some school and DepEd field officials may not accurately reflect true situation and sentiments on the ground.
One-week delay will not only give families more time to address their problems, but also provide DepEd with opportunity to thoroughly prepare.
Education department also reported 19,268,747 public school students had already enrolled for school year 2024-2025.
Breakdown showed 16,794,173 students are enrolled in public schools while 2,244,867 students are enrolled in private schools.
Meanwhile, 23,875 students are enrolled in state and local universities and colleges offering basic education and 205,832 students enrolled under Alternative Learning System.
Per education level, elementary schools have most number of enrollees with 10,487,481 students, followed by junior high schools with 5,851,382 and senior high schools with 2,724,052.
In another education-related development, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian vowed to push for more legislation that would institutionalize benefits and protection for teachers after Marcos’ commitment to upholding welfare of teachers.
One of these is Senate Bill 2493 or proposed Revised Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, amends Republic Act 4670 or Magna Carta for Public School Teachers.
Proposed amendments include grant of calamity leave, educational benefits and longevity pay; circumstances and conditions on grant of special hardship allowance; enrichment of criteria for salaries and protection of teachers from out-of-pocket expenses.
Gatchalian, chairs Senate committee on basic education, is eyeing to file bill that would institutionalize career progression system for public school teachers.
The senator hailed Marcos’ commitment to upholding welfare of teachers, priority that Chief Executive emphasized in his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA).
“I am grateful to our President because he paid attention to welfare of our teachers in his SONA…success of education system depends on our teachers, which is why we will continue to promote bills to increase their benefits and promote their welfare,” Gatchalian said.
Among achievements he lauded in Marcos’ third SONA is signing of Republic Act 11997 or Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act, law that will increase teaching allowance from P5,000 to P10,000 starting SY 2025-2026.
The President also said public school teachers would receive personal accident insurance from Government Service Insurance System and special hardship allowance.
He further said practice of “utang-tagging,” prevents teachers from renewing their licenses, shall end.
Marcos also mentioned in his SONA that funds would be allocated to implement career progression system to promote public school teachers’ professional development and career advancement.
Under expanded system, teachers can choose between teaching and school administration tracks, which would accelerate and offer ample growth opportunities for public school teachers.
FMJ said under this system, no more public school teacher shall retire as Teacher I.
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