Talk to SunStar: Teachers seek DepEd help on welfare concerns

By Benjo Basas, National Chair,

Teachers Dignity Coalition

IN time for the opening of classes today, we again ask the Department of Education for a meeting to discuss several concerns of public school teachers. We believe that the opening of classes is the best time to talk about the concerns of teachers because of the huge public attention thrown into the education sector. Thus, the group hopes that teachers and DepEd may finally agree on matters that they have initially discussed in the past engagements.

In our formal request, we again presented the issues, some of which have supposedly reached conclusion last year following the pronouncements from the Office of the Secretary, especially those pertaining to the medical benefits, working hours and hiring of non-teaching personnel. We reiterate that the following concerns are practical, doable and within the authority of the Secretary:

1. Immediately suspend the implementation of RPMS (results-based performance management system) and call for the widest consultation possible;

2. Put a halt on the implementation of DepEd Order No. 42 or the use of Daily Lesson Log (DLL) and Detailed Lesson Plan (DLP) and revert to simplified lesson preparations;

3. Stop rampant class observations and leave the teachers in their usual teaching tasks;

4. Prohibit Saturday classes and required meetings during weekends;

5. Fully implement the six-hour workday nationwide with uniformity based on existing rules;

6. Hire non-teaching personnel that will accomplish clerical tasks; and

7. Provide health benefits and privilege leave for teachers within the school year

As to the strategic agenda, or those that need executive or legislative actions, we further solicit the support of the DepEd, which according to them is very crucial.

1. Grant of salary increase for public school teachers as promised by President Duterte himself;

2. Cancellation of anomalous and unjust policies of the GSIS or setting-up a separate system for public school teachers and DepEd employees; and

3. Allocation of funds to fully implement the welfare provisions of the 53-year old Magna Carta for Public School Teachers

Our teachers play a crucial role in the delivery of education service to every Filipino children. And we believe that if they are provided with the needed assistance and their welfare concerns are being addressed, they can enhance the teaching and accomplish every task with passion, enthusiasm and dedication.

We anticipate a positive response from the Secretary.

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