As teachers across the globe are hailed for their efforts in molding future generations during the 2022 World Teachers’ Day (WTD) celebration on Wednesday, Oct. 5, a public school teacher could not help but lament the pitiful situation of Filipino teachers.
Benjo Basas, a public school teacher at Caloocan High School under the Department of Education (DepED) expressed on Facebook his disappointment in the treatment received by Filipino in schools.
“Yung dadakilain ka sa isang araw tapos aalilain araw-araw (Revered for a day, but treated like a slave on any other day),” Basas wrote on the post.
Basas, who is also the national chairperson of the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC), noted that while teachers appreciate the efforts of stakeholders during the celebration of #NationalTeachersDay2022 and #WorldTeachersDay2022, what they need is to recognize their “dignity” as teachers.
“Ang World Teachers’ Day ay paggunita sa kadakilaan ng mga guro at hindi isang araw ng pambubaladas sa pamamagitan ng mga papuri sa talumpati, programa at entertainment ng mga artista, pag-aalay ng bulaklak o regalo at pagbibigay ng discount at freebies (World Teachers’ Day is a commemoration of the greatness of teachers and not a day of celebration through praises in speeches, programs and entertainment by artists, offering flowers or gifts and giving discounts and freebies),” TDC said in a statement.
“Ang tunay na diwa ng World Teachers’ Day ay ang pagpapahalaga sa ating dignida (The true spirit of World Teachers' Day is the appreciation of our dignity),” the group added.
While TDC is one with the rest of the country and the world in celebrating the #NTD2022 and #WTD2022, Basas said that initiatives coming from the people with authority would truly help uplift the condition of teachers.
For instance, Basas noted that the Republic Act (RA 4670) or the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers --- which is considered the “Bible” of teachers in the country --- remains fully unimplemented.
“Matapos ang 56 taon, nanatiling nakikipaglaban ang mga guro sa Pilipinas para sa makatarungang suweldo, karagdagang benepisyo, maayos na kalagayan sa trabaho, mapagkalingang mga polisiya at iba pang mga kaalwanan (After 56 years, teachers in the Philippines continue to fight for fair salaries, additional benefits, good working conditions, welfare policies and other comforts),” TDC said.
TDC also lamented the grievances of teachers remain the same under the new administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.
These, the group said, include low wages, heavy workload, lack of health benefits and other non-wage benefits, unjust policies, unfair merit and promotion system, lack of teaching support, and lack of funding for the education sector.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/12/deped-urged-to-implement-a-six-hour-workday-for-teachers-nationwide/
“Mananatili ang ganitong masahol na kalagayan ng mga guro kung hindi seryosong haharapin ng ating gobyerno partikular ng DepEd ang lumalalang problema (This bad condition of teachers will remain if our government and DepEd do not seriously deal with the worsening problem),” Basas said.
Given this, TDC once again challenged the government to prove that it cares about the education sector and the future of the Filipino people.
“Madali lamang itong gawin --- unahin ang kapakanan ng mga guro, ibigay ang sapat na sahod, mge benepisyo at insentibo at tuparin ang mandato ng Saligang Batas na tiyaking masaya, may mataas na moral, kuntento at may dangal ang mga guro (This is easy to do --- put the welfare of teachers first, provide adequate wages, benefits and incentives and fulfill the Constitutional mandate to ensure that teachers are happy, in high morale, satisfied and dignified,” Basas said.
RELATED STORY:
https://mb.com.ph/2022/10/05/the-country-needs-you-teachers-recognized-for-service-dedication-to-filipino-youth/