Leaders from various teachers' organizations have raised concerns and demanded recognition of their rights, protection, and support in the face of the numerous hardships and challenges that the current educational landscape presents. 

During a forum and press conference on Oct. 13, teacher leaders and members of the Civil Society Network for Education Reforms (E-Net Philippines) shared their perspectives on the current state of Philippine education and its impact on educators.

E-Net Philippines is a network of civil society organizations engaged in policy advocacy and partnerships for education reforms.

Participating organizations in the event included Action and Solidarity for the Empowerment of Teachers (ASSERT), Gurong Nagbabalik sa Bayan (GNB), MAG-ILMU Foundation (Mindanao), Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PS LINK), Samahang Manggagawang Pilipino - Alliance of Teachers and Office Worker (SMP NATOW), Southern Philippines United Methodist Colleges, Inc. (SPMCI), Teachers Dignity Coalition (TDC), and TEACHERS Inc.

Teachers and DepEd's MATATAG Agenda

Members of teacher organizations under E-Net Philippines convened to reflect on the question: “MATATAG o MATAGTAG Ba ang Daan Para sa Guro?"

The forum provided a platform for teachers to voice the myriad challenges and obstacles they encounter daily, while also compelling the government to acknowledge their rights as workers, protect their well-being, and elevate the status of the teaching profession.

In her opening remarks, E-Net Philippines Board Member Professor Flora C. Arellano underscored the significant hardships and obstacles teachers face daily, ranging from inadequate resources and classroom overcrowding to insufficient compensation and the pressing issue of teacher shortages.

“Habang ang propesyon ng pagtuturo ay isang landas na may dakilang layunin at pagnanais namagkaroon ng positibong epekto sa buhay ng mga mag-aaral, ito rinay isang paglalakbay na puno ng mga balakid at kahirapan (While the teaching profession is a noble path with the noble goal and desire to have a positive impact on the lives of students, it is also a journey filled with obstacles and challenges),” Arellano said.

In August, the Department of Education (DepEd) introduced the revised curriculum for Kinder to Grade 10, officially called the "MATATAG K to 10 Curriculum." 

READ: 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/8/10/dep-ed-launches-matatag-k-to-10-curriculum

"MATATAG" stands for "Makabagong kurikulum na napapanahon" (Modern and up-to-date curriculum), "Talino na mula sa isip at puso" (Intelligence of the mind and heart), "Tapang na humarap sa ano man ang hamon sa buhay" (Courage to face whatever challenges life brings), and "Galing ng Pilipino, nangingibabaw sa mundo" (Filipino's excellence shines in the world).

During the launch, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte mentioned that the revised K to 10 curriculum would be "integral" to DepEd's MATATAG Agenda, unveiled in the Basic Education Report (BER) presented in January of the same year.

READ: 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/01/30/deped-launches-matatag-agenda-to-resolve-challenges-in-basic-education/

The MATATAG Agenda focuses on four critical components: Making curriculum relevant to produce competent and job-ready, active, and responsible citizens; Taking steps to accelerate delivery of basic education facilities and services; Taking good care of learners by promoting learner well-being, inclusive education, and a positive learning environment; and Giving support to teachers to teach better.

The plight of Filipino teachers

During the event, a panel of teacher leaders conveyed the challenges they face in the current educational landscape, emphasizing key points on teachers' rights, welfare, professional development, and dignity.

One central issue discussed was the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, a legislative framework designed to protect the rights and welfare of teachers in the public sector.

ASSERT Secretary General Fidel Fababier stressed that, in the era of fake news and historical distortion, "we are at a crucial juncture to empower educators and ensure the highest standards in education."

Fababier noted that if teachers can enjoy their rights under the Magna Carta, this will empower them to provide the quality education expected of them.

"Over five decades have passed, and teachers have yet to see the full and rightful implementation of Magna Carta provisions, such as the correct computation of step increments, special hardship allowance, automatic adjustment of COLA [Cost of Living Allowance], working hours, overtime pay, annual medical check-up, etc.," he added.

Representing NATOW, Primitiva Abad called for the creation of a Magna Carta for Private School Teachers, emphasizing that the Magna Carta should be for all teachers, whether public or private, to ensure their rights, benefits, and protection.

The conference also emphasized the importance of educators having the freedom to form associations and engage in collective bargaining.

"We have the right to form unions. This right empowers us to negotiate for fair and just compensation, safe working conditions, and improved educational standards," said Rosanna Villegas of ASSERT Union.

Teacher leaders also called on the government to address critical issues related to professional development and teacher well-being.

TEACHERS Inc. President Serafin Molina stressed that to provide quality education, teachers must be equipped with the tools they need to succeed.

“This includes manageable class sizes, relief from excessive workloads, access to medical and mental health support, and opportunities for ongoing professional development,” he added.

GNB, for its part, pointed out that teachers carry the emotional weight of their students' well-being.

Recognizing and addressing the emotional impact of their profession as educators is crucial to ensure the well-being of both ourselves and their students, GNB said.

During the discussion, the need to resolve the teacher shortage crisis and provide competitive salaries and benefits for educators was once again brought to the forefront.

Sukor Saligan of MAG-ILMU Foundation, a Mindanao-based organization, highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive measures to attract, hire, and retain talented individuals in the teaching profession.

"The lack of enough teachers isn't just about numbers. Teachers are the backbone of the education system," he said. "The shortage of qualified, motivated teachers threatens our ability to provide inclusive and quality education, hindering the achievement of vital educational goals, including the Sustainable Development Goal 4," he added.

For Framer Mela of Southern Philippines Methodist Colleges, Inc., Kidapawan City, the government must prioritize education in budgets and policies.

"Adequate education financing is essential to hire new teachers, provide scholarships, incentives, and teacher training programs for the teaching profession to be more appealing and also ensuring that experienced teachers remain in the classroom," Mela said.

Since teachers are entrusted with the monumental task of shaping future generations, TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas also stressed that their compensation should reflect the significance of their work.

"Teachers' salaries should not only be fair but also competitive, to attract and retain the best and brightest minds in the teaching profession," Basas said. "By investing in our educators, we are investing in the future of our children, our communities, and our nation," he added

'Bumpy' road for teachers

In a statement read by E-Net National Coordinator Alvelyn Berdan, the groups asserted: "Teachers are both workers and duty-bearers. They have rights and needs that must be protected and supported to enable them to fulfill their roles as duty-bearers responsible for providing quality education to all."

Given this, the groups called on the government to recognize teachers as both workers and duty-bearers, protect and support teachers' rights, well-being, and dignity, and elevate the status of the teaching profession.

As the event concluded, the leaders presented a symbolic action holding "road signs" indicative of a challenging and "bumpy" road for teachers.

Teachers held placards bearing signs saying: "Rough Road Ahead," "Falling Rocks and Debris," "Road Closed," and "Bump Ahead," among others, which represented the challenging journey and obstacles teachers encounter in their profession.

Other teachers also held placards starting with the phrase "MATATAG ba ang daan para sa Guro kung...," which highlighted teachers' issues such as low pay, lack of resources, excessive workload, union busting, and red-tagging, among others.