It is heartwarming to learn about the efforts undertaken by the government to upgrade the salaries of the more than 500,000 public school teachers nationwide.
The teacher is the key that unlocks the door to where pupils can step into — a whole new world of discovery, of learning and of opportunity.
Despite the advances of information and communication technology, nothing can replace the teacher inside the classroom. Through short, intense and meaningful sessions she shares a part of herself and spends from 20 to 40 years of her life guiding the countless pupils who pass her way.
A teacher can only give her best if she is happy and fulfilled in her work. A lesson will only be as good as the teacher wants it to be. Sadly however, the teacher’s creativity is stifled by factors like error-filled books, over enrollment, lack of teachers and classrooms, low quality materials of instructions and overbearing and unsympathetic superiors.
Other roles gravitate towards her. She is a health worker, a community coordinator, an election inspector, a census enumerator.
Early in the morning she is part of throbbing crowds who shove and pull each other to catch a ride. She reports to school despite jeepney strikes and knee-deep floods. She is dragged by motorcycle-riding thieves when she refuses to let go of her tote bag. Come election time she keeps watch over the ballot box and suffocates inside a burning schoolroom. She is even kidnapped and taken hostage.
The teacher needs a magic wand so that her monthly pay of P12,026 will be enough for house rental, tuition fees, utility bills, health care, food, transportation, personal loans, etc.
The teacher’s woes as regards GSIS salary and policy loans are endless. Because of her many concerns she fails to monitor the monthly deductions from her salary. A sudden stoppage of payment made without her knowledge and consent results in penalties — surcharges that more than triples the amount of her loan.
Although many politicians heap praises on the teacher no tangible solutions have been made to raise her economic status.
A drastic shift should be done as regards funding allocations for various government projects. Is there really a need for the innumerable waiting sheds emblazoned with the names of donors that are only used as sleeping quarters of vagrants? How come a serviceable portion of a cemented road is suddenly dug up? That costly lamppost can help send a poor but deserving child to school.
Underpaid and overworked it is time that teachers are recognized for their own worth. Although many have left the country in exasperation over unfulfilled promises of wage hikes, there are still over half a million of dedicated and committed teachers who have not lost hope.
These are the teachers who believe that they can help mold, shape and fashion not only the mind but also the heart and the will of every child.
For as Fr. James Reuter said, “teaching is the bridge between soul and soul.”
VILMA REGIDOR TAROY, now retired, was a former principal of Legarda Elementary School in Sampaloc, Manila.