Angara told to take care of public school teachers

CEBU, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. tells Education Secretary Sonny Angara to take care of public school teachers while also vowing for more support to them.

Angara reiterated the marching orders from the president concerning the welfare of public school teachers.

“Isa po sa pinakauna niyang sinabi sa akin, alagaan natin ang ating mga guro, mahalin natin ang ating mga guro dahil sila ay nasa puso ng ating sistemang pang edukasyon,” Angara noted.

During the 2024 National Teachers’ Day celebration at the Araneta Coliseum the other night, President Marcos Jr. said they are laying down the ground works for a more resilient sector.

“I enjoined DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, along with our government agencies, to continue improving the quality of education, uphold the rights of our teachers and adapt to the ever-evolving needs of our economic landscape,” President Marcos, Jr. said.

The president emphasized his administration’s assistance to the teachers, including the Expanded Career Progression System, increase of teaching allowance through the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act, salary increase, and medical allowance.

The president earlier signed Executive Order No. 64 increasing the salary of government employees, including teachers and delivering medical allowance worth P7,000.

With the issuance of the DepEd Order No. 005, series of 2024, teachers now have fair and equitable distribution of teaching load according to the Presidential Communications Office.

Public school teachers will be properly compensated once they exceed the prescribed six hours of classroom teaching per day. With this, a more balanced and conducive work environment for public school teachers is expected.

The president also mentioned the measure of his administration to fulfill his promise through an expanded career progression (ECP) system.

“This year, I signed the Implementing Rules and Regulations for Executive Order No. 174 to bring more opportunities for your career advancement and professional development. No public school teacher will be retiring as Teacher I anymore,” he said.

The IRR of the ECP system for public school teachers was signed in July this year, outlining two distinct career paths for Filipino educators to pursue: the Classroom Teaching (CT) Career Line and the School Administration (SA) Career Line.

The new policy allows teachers to choose between advancing as classroom instructor or pursue school administration. Those who opt to remain in classroom teaching are ensured of advancement of stature and compensation.

The ECP covers public school teachers in all levels from kindergarten to senior high school in educational institutions managed by the Department of Education (DepEd).

“With this flexibility to move between classroom teaching and school administration, you can grow professionally, explore new roles, and assume leadership positions,” Marcos said.

“It is not just a recognition of our teachers’ dedication, but also a testament to our shared commitment to empowering our educators,” he added.

In return though, Marcos expects the teachers to help the government. 

“To our teachers, keep shaping our students who will not only face the uncertainties of today, but will also embrace the opportunities of tomorrow, our future rests in your hands. This administration trusts that you will help us build the Bagong Pilipinas that we all aspire to achieve,” Marcos said.