Did you know that the Filipino classroom teacher’s work is the most difficult (and abused) in Philippine civil service?
It is true that it is only the teacher who gets two months vacation pay and two weeks of Christmas vacation with pay compared to other civil service workers who are entitled to only 15 days sick leave/15 days personal leave with pay. The two months vacation of the teacher however, is often spent in summer school which generally lasts six weeks.
Aside from this, in the new curriculum, the Brigada Eskwela is spent/institutionalized in school during summer vacation two weeks before the opening of classes in June involving the PTCA and other stakeholders, to do minor repairs and school projects that have to be finished and supervised by the teachers. They dutifully report to see that everything is prepared for the school opening. Added to this are seminars and in-service trainings which cannot be conducted during school days. Only the teacher among civil service employees work beyond office hours writing lesson plans, correcting themes and even instructional devices. On Saturdays and Sundays, they conduct PTCA meetings, homeroom based to discuss pertinent matters relevant to school standards in consonance with the DepEd thrusts.
It is only the classroom teachers who are literally forced to serve during elections, whether regular or special. Teachers cannot refuse to serve – under pain of punishment. No other civil service employee is treated that way. Teachers have been lulled by higher authorities into believing that only teachers are honest and trustworthy and can be depended upon to do their work at whatever cost, even at the sacrifice of their lives. True enough many teachers have lost their lives, while others suffered violence particularly in Mindanao, beyond the call of duty.
The very sad thing is that teachers believe this – that they can do things without question. Some teachers obey complacently for fear they might lose their jobs but it is wrong.
High officials in government depend much on teachers who are willing to sacrifice for the good of the service. They are the pillars of the nation for they mold the youth and prepare them to become our future leaders
Andrea M. Badongen teaches Mathematics 5 and 6, Home Economics 5 and 6 as relieving teacher of Cabaruan Elementary School, Maddela Zone II, Quirino, Region 2.