NO BIG OR SMALL ROLES AMONG TEACHERS

Teachers and personnel of the Department of Education (DepEd) were cited for their efforts during the Basic Education Report (BER) 2024 of Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte. She cited what the agency has accomplished so far, made possible by the collective efforts of the approximately 900,000-strong DepEd Team. According to the Education Secretary, there are no big or small roles among teachers, personnel at the central office, regional offices, school division offices, and schools. With this, she assured that Professional Development Programs for educators and school leaders, as well as training for teaching reading across grade levels will be strengthened. She said strategic guidance to vital councils, including the Early Childhood Care and Development Council, Literacy Coordinating Council, and Teacher Education Council will be provided to foster a comprehensive approach to education governance. To further empower educators, she said school-based training packages and session guides will also be developed to ensure that field personnel are equipped for effective curriculum implementation. DepEd will also soon issue guidelines for the Employee Welfare and Well-being Policy and establish as well a Calamity Fund that will provide immediate financial assistance to our teachers and personnel in times of disaster. The agency will also propose and fervently move for the amendment of an Administrative Order that will allow us to finally provide Health Insurance for our teachers and non-teaching personnel, she said. The DepEd will also issue a policy on Teaching Overload Pay, ensuring that teachers are rightfully compensated for hours of actual classroom teaching beyond the 6-hour limit provided under the Magna Carta for teachers. Aside from Overload Pay, DepEd will also propose to provide overtime pay to teachers and increase the cap for service credits from the current 15 days to at least 30 days. Concerns regarding Continuing Professional Development are also being addressed with the Professional Regulation Commission so teachers will not have to absorb additional financial burdens. After holding several consultations, the department order on the Removal of Administrative Tasks for Teachers will be released and the corresponding strand memorandum will be released a week later. Last year, DepEd provided additional staffing complement in schools through the creation of 9,659 new teaching positions; 3,500 Administrative Officer II positions; and 1,500 Project Development Officer I positions. The agency also purchased Personal Accident Insurance from the Government Service Insurance System for all DepEd teachers and personnel and registered them to avail of the PhilHealth Konsulta package. The Hardship Index cut-off for the Special Hardship Allowance was also lowered to make 16,532 more teachers from 1,812 schools eligible to receive the Special Hardship Allowance. The World Bank is also currently studying the teachers' salaries in the Philippines which will be submitted to DepEd.

-oOoThe author is Teacher III at Benigno S. Aquino National High School