LOAN SOLUTION

CHARITO I. JIMENEZ

As an answer to loan issue of teachers, Department of Education Secretary Leonor Briones stated once in her speech that teachers need financial classes.

As a regular teacher who have families to support and personal needs to meet knows that financial literacy is not enough. Having large amount of loans does not mean a teacher is not a wise spender. There are various reasons why teachers take loans.

It may be because a family member was sick and has to be confined in the hospital. Some are for educational purposes- for themselves and for their loved ones. Some because of the needs to support other family members. There are also teachers who take loans because of their business which at times do not become successful and leave them sank from debt.

Considering the entry level take home pay of P 17, 000. 00, it is very difficult for a teacher to budget his/ her salary to feed his/ her family, pay for tuition, and buy for the personal necessities.

I wonder if Secretary Briones can have the same statement if she has lived as a regular teacher from an average Filipino family.

At some point I might agree that there teachers who need financial literacy, but not all. And financial literacy is not the best solution.

The best solution is the increase of the means of the teachers so that they will not look for another institution to get the money the need to be able to be a ‘well’provider for their respective families.

— oOo—

The author is Teacher III at Sta. Maria Elementary School, Macabebe West District