Former Vice President and senatorial aspirant Jejomar Binay on Thursday, April 7, is supporting calls to increase the salaries of public school teachers and give them additional benefits.
“Our teachers have long been asking for an increase in pay, and it is high time that we make this a reality,” Binay said.
According to him, he will push for the increase of the starting pay of teachers from P25,439.00 or salary grade 11 to P35,097.00 or salary grade 15.
He added that he also aims to add more benefits to teachers such as increasing the teachers’ allowance for instructional materials, providing study grants and scholarships for their children, and tax exemptions for additional benefits.
“We will also study how we can give them study leaves with pay on a regular basis, to enable them to upgrade their knowledge and teaching skills,” Binay said.
The former vice president said that these measures would help improve the quality of education of students and prevent the exodus of teachers for jobs abroad.
“Our teachers should be mentoring future leaders and achievers, and not toiling in foreign lands far from their families,” Binay said.
Binay noted that many teachers have even opted to work as nannies or domestic helpers abroad.
“This should not be the case. We should work to recognize the dignity of our teachers and the teaching profession,” he said.
“We need to recognize and honor their sacrifices by making sure they get the compensation and benefits they deserve,” he added.