A teachers’ group on Wednesday, December 17, lauded the Department of Education (DepEd) for initiating meaningful reforms but emphasized that lasting improvements must be matched by real investments in teachers’ welfare.

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC), in a statement, acknowledged several positive policy shifts under DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara’s leadership, including adjustments in the ARAL program, changes to the school calendar, clarified working hours, and enhancements to the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) program.

The group also praised the introduction of the nationwide Health and Wellness Break, a first-of-its-kind initiative recognizing the mental and physical demands faced by teachers.

“In a relatively short period, the Department has begun to nurture a culture of open dialogue — a welcome shift that allows stakeholders, including teacher groups like ours, to engage with DepEd more constructively and meaningfully,” TDC said.

Angara’s leadership, the group noted, has fostered responsiveness and openness, allowing teacher organizations to engage more effectively with the Department.

Moreover, the TDC cited increased budgets for personnel, learning materials, school facilities, feeding programs, and digitization, reflecting a sincere commitment to modernizing education.

Despite these developments, the group urged DepEd to prioritize a substantial salary increase for teachers and other employees.

The TDC highlighted a proposed P15,000 across-the-board pay hike, which would require an estimated P210 billion — a relatively small investment compared to the sums lost to corruption in other sectors.

“Investing in teachers is far more beneficial to national development than allowing systemic leakages elsewhere to persist,” TDC said.

While the group may not have fully supported appointing a sitting politician as DepEd Secretary, it acknowledged that Angara’s leadership provides an opportunity to address long-standing issues within the Department.

“This opportunity must be matched with decisive action, integrity, and a genuine commitment to advancing teachers’ welfare and strengthening public education,” TDC said. “His openness, responsiveness, and willingness to engage have made a meaningful difference in a short span of time,” the statement added.

The TDC affirmed its commitment to work with Secretary Angara and other education stakeholders to strengthen public education and empower teachers nationwide.

However, the group also reiterated its call for clear qualifications for future DepEd leadership, ideally codified in law, to ensure stability, continuity, and integrity in the country’s education system.

“We stand by our long-held position that future appointments to DepEd leadership should be guided by clearly defined qualifications — criteria that must be spelled out in a law enacted by Congress to ensure stability, continuity, and integrity in education governance,” TDC said.