A teachers’ group on Tuesday, July 29, urged President Marcos to personally visit public schools and speak directly with teachers, students, and parents to witness the true state of Philippine education—far from the optimistic vision presented in his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The Teachers' Dignity Coalition (TDC), in a statement, acknowledged the President’s remarks on education and support for teachers, but said his message lacked “depth, clarity, and commitment” in addressing long-standing issues in the sector.

“We challenge President Marcos to visit public schools unannounced, talk directly to teachers, parents, and students, and witness the true state of education,” the TDC said.

The group added that unannounced school visits would provide the President with an “honest picture” needed to lead meaningful reforms.

“Good intentions are not enough. Plans based on abstract statistics without grounded research will never suffice,” TDC said. “We need concrete solutions—not theoretical speculations, promises, and mere acknowledgments—to deal with the crisis in education.”

While Marcos mentioned plans for additional classrooms, digital resources, and support programs, the TDC said the SONA fell short of presenting a clear roadmap or budget commitment to education.

The group criticized the omission of the education budget in his speech, especially since the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) shows education no longer receiving the largest share of funding—contrary to constitutional mandates.

They also raised concerns about unresolved core issues, including overcrowded and dilapidated classrooms, lack of digital tools and learning materials, insufficient salaries and medical benefits for teachers, and delayed or unimplemented policies, such as overtime pay under the 1966 Magna Carta for Public School Teachers.

“We continue to call on the government to uplift the teaching profession through salary increases, free provision of laptops and other digital tools, accessible medical benefits, and a genuine commitment to teachers' welfare,” the TDC said. “Tangible and timely support is urgently needed instead of lip service,” the group added.

The group also responded to several key education-related points from the 2025 SONA.

On the plan to build 40,000 new classrooms, the group welcomed the move but said it falls far short of addressing the estimated 165,000-classroom backlog. “A drastic shift in fiscal policy is needed to close this gap—not reliance on public-private partnerships, which are often riddled with business interests and considerations,” TDC said.

On laptops for teachers, the group stressed that these should be provided free of charge, not as loan items.

“These devices are essential tools for effective teaching and must be provided free—not offered as loans that further burden our already financially challenged educators,” the TDC said. “Quality laptops should be a non-negotiable daily necessity for teachers, just as service firearms are for law enforcement personnel,” the group added.

On overtime pay and teacher workload, TDC criticized the continued non-implementation of Republic Act No. 4670, saying that current DepEd policies have effectively nullified teachers’ right to overtime compensation.

The President’s SONA applause line on this matter was described as “an insult” by TDC if not backed by concrete policy changes.

On digitization and clerical work, TDC supported ongoing digital reforms but warned that without hiring more non-teaching personnel, the administrative burden on educators will remain unchanged.

TDC also weighed in on other programs mentioned in the SONA—such as ARAL, ECCD, mental health services, and teacher performance evaluations—stressing the need for fair policies, adequate funding, and realistic implementation guidelines.

The group reaffirmed its willingness to work with the administration, noting that it “stands ready to engage in dialogue—not for publicity, but for action.”