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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Teachers' group decries 'rampant closure' of school cooperatives, urges DepEd to act

Teachers' group decries 'rampant closure' of school cooperatives, urges DepEd to act

Published Jul 14, 2025 08:54 pm

At A Glance

  • The Teachers' Dignity Coalition (TDC) condemns the increasing closure of teachers' cooperatives in schools, calling on the DepEd to suspend shutdowns, protect educators' welfare, and uphold policies supporting cooperative operations
The rampant closure of teachers’ cooperatives has alarmed the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC), prompting it to urge Department of Education (DepEd) to uphold educator welfare. (NOEL PABALATED / MANILA BULLETIN / FILE PHOTO)
The rampant closure of teachers’ cooperatives has alarmed the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC), prompting it to urge Department of Education (DepEd) to uphold educator welfare. (NOEL PABALATED / MANILA BULLETIN / FILE PHOTO)
The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) on Monday, July 14, denounced what it described as the “rampant” and unjust closure of teachers’ cooperatives in schools, calling on the Department of Education (DepEd) to immediately halt these shutdowns and clarify its policies.
In a statement, the TDC expressed deep concern over the increasing number of closures allegedly prompted by minor technicalities, stressing that such actions contradict existing DepEd and national policies that support the establishment and operation of cooperatives within the education sector.
“These closures are not only disruptive but also contrary to the spirit of DepEd Order No. 8, s. 2007, which explicitly recognizes cooperatives within the DepEd system,” the group said.
“They also violate the principles of Republic Act No. 9520, or the Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008, which guarantees the right of workers, including teachers, to organize cooperatives in their workplaces,” TDC added.
Cooperatives as lifelines for educators
The TDC emphasized that teachers’ cooperatives are not profit-driven enterprises but grassroots support systems designed to uplift the socio-economic well-being of education personnel.
“Teachers’ cooperatives are not established for profit but to help members overcome socio-economic challenges, promote financial literacy, and encourage collective welfare among teachers and other education personnel,” the group said.
“These institutions have long served as support systems for teachers and, in fact, offer a viable alternative to predatory lending,” it added, noting that they serve as “an effective deterrent to the long-standing stigma of teachers being seen as mere vendors of goods.”
These cooperatives, the group emphasized, offer services that help members avoid exploitative lending practices, improve financial management, and promote empowerment through solidarity.
For many teachers, especially in underserved areas, these cooperatives are lifelines—helping members manage daily expenses, access affordable credit, and foster a strong sense of community.
The removal of these institutions, TDC said, further weakens the already limited support systems available to teachers.
Breaking stigma, building dignity
TDC also highlighted how teachers’ cooperatives help combat the long-standing stereotype of educators being forced into informal selling—such as pantry items, garments, or processed food—due to financial strain.
“These cooperatives provide dignified, organized avenues for economic assistance, removing the need for teachers to be seen as vendors just to make ends meet,” the group explained.
Call for policy review and action
TDC is urging the DepEd to take immediate action: suspend all ongoing or pending closure orders, conduct a comprehensive review of current policies affecting cooperatives, and reaffirm its commitment to supporting teacher-led initiatives.
The group also issued a strong appeal for unity and understanding, reminding policymakers that teachers are at the heart of the education system and deserve programs and platforms that prioritize their welfare.
“In times of economic hardship, teachers need more support,” TDC said. “DepEd must stand firmly on the side of its teachers and protect the spaces that uplift their dignity and welfare,” the group added.

Related Tags

teachers cooperative closure TDC statement July 2025 DepEd teachers cooperative policy DepEd Order No. 8 s. 2007 teachers welfare Philippines financial literacy for teachers education cooperatives Philippines
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