Teachers’ salaries must be raised

T

ODAY I had my last meeting with my graduate school students in Cadiz City. Thanks to Governor Marañon for his invaluable and enriching program called Project Free in partnerships with the University of Saint La Salle (USLS) and the Department of Education (Deped). Such project is much appreciated by our public school teachers who wish to pursue their masters and doctorate degrees. I hope the incoming Governor-elect Bong Lacson will continue this worthy project. Based on my students’ reflections and wishes, they really are grateful for the opportunity given to them. They have become more confident, wiser, and happier teachers. They all hope the same for their colleagues who also wish to enroll in such program. REALLY? I believe so.

I strongly believe that the bright future of our 21st century learners in the Province of Negros Occidental (and those belonging to other provinces) depends on the kind of teachers that we have. The more equipped, confident, wiser and happier teachers we have, the more they will also become confident, wiser and happier learners. The more public school teachers model confidence, wisdom and happiness the more the 21st century learners will grow and become confident, wiser and happier Negrosanons.

In the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Article XIV, Sections 1, it is stated that, “The state shall protect and promote the right of all the citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.” What else can we do best in the promotion of such right to a quality education than promoting the quality of our teachers in terms of the levels of their confidence, competence and happiness (affective domain), the levels of their intelligence, understanding and mastery of their respective subject matters (cognitive domain), the levels of their skills, strategies and methods in teaching (psychomotor domain).

Moreover, enhancing and promoting the quality of our teachers would REALLY support what is stated in our Constitution, Art. XIV, Section 5 (#4), “The State shall enhance the right of teachers to professional advancement. Non- teaching academic and nonacademic personnel shall enjoy the protection of the State.” Logically speaking, how can we expect our learners to become advanced professionals if their teachers are not that professionally advanced?

Furthermore, talking about the rights of students in school (Section 9), it is highlighted that our students have “(1.) The right to receive competent instruction, relevant quality education.” Again, how can we expect our students to receive competent instruction and relevant quality education if our teachers themselves are not REALLY that competent and quality educators? During this summer break, am fully aware that our public school teachers are going to have their In-service Trainings and Seminars. I believe that such practice does help our teachers but nothing compares to their having gone through a graduate school formal studies for masters and doctoral degrees.

It is maybe true that some teachers pursue post graduate studies because they wish to be promoted to a higher position (like from Teacher 3 to a Principal or Supervisor) which implies higher salary grade and so a higher financial compensation. But is that all they have in mind? REALLY? I do not think so. In fact, I have heard many of them said that they pursue higher educational level not only for themselves but for their students’ sake. These are the teachers who are strongly convinced that their teaching job is not simply a profession but, REALLY, it’s their vocation or calling. These are the teachers who look beyond the 15th & 30th days of the month (wherein they receive their salaries). These are the teachers who are most willing to walk the extra mile for the sake of the students entrusted to their care. These are the teachers whom we may call authentic “Second Parents”. These are the teachers who are REALLY worthy to be praised and whose salaries must be raised (by Mr. Rodrigo

Duterte before his term as the President of the Republic of the Philippines ends).* I

“SIR, yes sir!” is the only acceptable answer instilled in the memory of every disciplined soldier. I suppose this is a cliché, but every soldier must conform to this absolute diktat “obey first before you complain.”

Mandatory ROTC for grades 11 and 12 is a timely program, because broadly speaking discipline at home is scant nowadays, overtaken by the flourishing decadent outcomes of the unregulated use of gadgets.

The objective in reviving ROTC is to train the youth in military approach to instill patriotism and nationalism. So, while in school –a peace zone (without artillery), they will be trained to behave like soldiers. While on training, there are merits and demerits corresponding to every action especially in dealing with the cadets and officers.

As an advance ROTC graduate and a reserved officer, I can articulate lot of good things than junks in reviving the training. My space is not enough to enumerate all, but the basics are respect with each other and teamwork. We were taught to greet in salute whenever we meet an officer, not to proceed without the officer’s confirmation, maintain a good camaraderie to everyone, must be practical and have a good sense with our buddies both at halt and in trooping.

During our days, many were hooked to ROTC; because our senior officers demonstrated exemplary leadership, perseverance, and even taught us to be obedient, and resilient. My batch mates as I observed were paying much respect to the battalion commander and other officers than to some of our insensitive professors who were fond of assigning load of books to read.

Well, so much to the good memoirs of ROTC which should have been enjoyed incessantly by the coevals had it not been for the abuses committed by few in the hierarchy. Abuses like bullying and harassments existed and truly committed, but were only concealed behind the shadow of secrecy for the supposition that everything is part of the culture.

But on March 18, 2001 the whole ROTC institution was bared for its rotten culture of violence. A high impact of resentment against ROTC came when Mark Chua, a student of the University of Santo Tomas was floating dead in Pasig River. NBI investigators later found out that his death was a hostile verdict for his expose about the irregularities in the UST ROTC unit. It was the catalyst that put down ROTC to only an option in all colleges and universities.

This new version of mandatory ROTC however will be paralleled with an Instructors’ Academy where all who will be teaching ROTC must undergo a capacity-building training to suffuse in mind the necessary laws, policies, guidelines and approaches to safeguard against inevitable abuses.

Hopefully this revival will truly indoctrinate the youth to love our country and develop leadership as they learn from the school of soldiers without arms.*