While they welcomed specific mentions related to the education sector, teachers’ groups on Monday, July 22, said the 2024 State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Marcos failed to address the root causes of the education crisis.
Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) National Chairperson Benjo Basas said that while Marcos’ speech included employees' and teachers' welfare, such as salary adjustments, allowances, accident insurance, and other benefits, which they acknowledge, it “falls short in addressing the education sector as a whole.”
“It would have been better if details were mentioned on how to lift the country from the learning crisis it is currently facing,” Basas said.
TDC explained Marcos could have been more specific in addressing the challenges faced by the education sector, such as the construction of more classrooms and other facilities, the production of books for all students, and the deployment of guidance counselors and health workers in schools.
“Even his previous statement about teaching Philippine History was not reinforced; does this mean that Philippine History will not be reintroduced into the high school curriculum?” Basas asked.
While TDC was expecting more, such as Marcos’ plans regarding the lost public funds due to negligence or corruption, Basas said that the 2024 SONA might be the “most detailed report and mention of the education sector.”
For the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), Marcos’ recent statements on education reform were “inadequate” and failed to address the fundamental issues plaguing the Philippine education system.
ACT Chairperson Vladimer Quetua said that while they welcome any effort to improve the education system, the measures outlined by Marcos in his latest SONA “fall far short of what is truly needed to address the crisis in Philippine education.”
Quetua noted that while focusing on “educational reform through technology” and resolving textbook issues was important, these do not “tackle the root causes of our education woes.”
For ACT, genuine reform must start with a significant increase in the education budget.
"If the administration is serious about improving education quality, it must double the education budget,” Quetua said. “This is crucial to address the chronic shortages in classrooms, facilities, and learning materials, as well as to properly compensate our educators,” he added.
Quetua also pointed out the “glaring absence” of a much-needed salary increase for teachers in Marcos' pronouncements. "Where is the salary increase that teachers have long been demanding?” he asked.
For ACT, the teaching allowance, insurance, and special hardship allowance are welcomed but “they are not substitutes for a substantial salary upgrade that reflects the value of teachers' work and the rising cost of living.”
While acknowledging the positive step of removing “utang-tagging” for teacher license renewals, ACT maintained that this does not address the underlying issue of teachers' financial struggles.
"Allowing indebted teachers to renew their licenses is helpful, but it doesn't solve the problem of why teachers are forced into debt in the first place,” Quetua said. “We need comprehensive solutions that include better pay, improved working conditions, and adequate support for our educators,” he added.
Given this, TDC and ACT called on the Marcos administration to engage in genuine dialogue with teachers' organizations and education advocates to develop a comprehensive, well-funded plan to address the education crisis and ensure quality education for all Filipino students.