Bigger allowance for teachers pushed

The country’s 600,000 public school teachers should no longer be made to shoulder school expenses, like supplies in the form of chalks, and their teaching supplies allowance should be increased substantially, according to an administration lawmaker.

“Quality education breaks the cycle of poverty and helps in achieving national development. We have passionate and dedicated teachers. They should not spend their own money to buy the necessary teaching materials for their students,” Rep. Alfred Vargas said.

Vargas filed House Bill 2041, which aims to institutionalize granting teaching supplies allowance to public school teachers, intends to support educators for the purchase of art supplies, chalk, eraser and flash drives, among others.

“The welfare of our public school teachers is a top priority for me. Caring for them means caring for their students, caring for our nation’s young. I care for the future that will be shaped by the youth of today,” Vargas said.

Vargas, who sits as vice chairman of the House of Representatives’ appropriations committee, wants the current P1,500 teaching supplies allowance increased to P5,000.

He said P2,500 of the additional teachers’ allowance will be charged against the current appropriations of the Department of Education for teaching supplies allowance, while the remaining P2,500 will come from any available funds and savings of the department.

The lawmaker also filed HB 1410 in July, seeking to upgrade teachers’ pay from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 19.