A group of teachers on Wednesday, Nov. 3, challenged presidential candidates for the 2020 elections to present an “all-inclusive platform” for education.
“We hope these politicians do not consider our teachers as mere voters or operators of vote-counting machines,” the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) said.
“They should pay attention to the situation of the education sector and the welfare of our teachers,” TDC added.
TDC noted that while official list of candidates is not yet finalized and the campaign period is still three months away, “we see different forms of electioneering” everyday.
The group noted that candidates are now active in press releases and some have “already spent sacks of money for paid ads on social and mainstream media, posters and billboards littered our streets.”
TDC added that there are also caravans or motorcades all over the country featuring the presidential hopefuls while and some aspirants are “confidently handing out cash to persuade the electorate.”
Amid all these, TDC lamented that “we hear almost nothing on their comprehensive platform for the welfare of the people in general and the education sector, in particular.”
For TDC, presidential candidates should be able to respond to the challenge of teachers. “Are they willing to sign a document to enforce them in case they win?” the group asked.
In particular, TDC is looking forward to presidential candidates who will “stand up to provide assistance to teachers” who have fallen ill with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) since March 2020 --- especially the families of the deceased.
“Can they provide health care benefits or build a hospital for teachers?” the group asked.
TDC also pointed out that candidates should be able to “commit to raising the entry-level position of public school teachers to at least salary grade 15.”
Moreover, the group is looking for presidential candidates who will present concrete solutions to perennial problems in the country’s education sector such as lowering the class size to 30 learners per classroom, ensuring a 1:1 book-to-student ratio and restoring or expanding the study of Philippine History at all levels.
TDC also challenged presidential aspirants who among them can increase the representation of teachers on the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Board or can consider putting up a separate insurance system for the country's largest bureaucracy.
“Who will promise to pay off all government debts to teachers under the neglected provisions of Magna Carta for Public School Teachers?” TDC asked.
Additionally, TDC also challenged the candidates on how they will ensure the security of tenure and the right to self-organization of teachers in private schools.
“Who among them will take the lead in eliminating contractualization in private and public schools and government agencies?” TDC added.
TDC also asked the candidates on what education-related executive measure they will primarily take in case they win.
“Before any disagreement over our candidates, let us first challenge them on an all-inclusive platform for education and for the people and compel them to sign a legal document,” TDC said.
However, the group pointed out the importance of making sure that the solutions they will present will not remain a campaign promise. “We have to be vigilant and indignant,” TDC stressed.
TDC also urged their fellow teachers, education stakeholders as well as the general public to rage against any attempt to exploit the people’s hopelessness and vulnerability.
“Finally, since this is a very serious matter, let's make sure it's not going to be a mere joke,” the group added.