By Anthony A. Araos
People associate the role of a teacher with molding the minds of the young. The ability to do so in an ideal setting, of course, contributes to developing the teacher’s potentials to the fullest.
Others insist that this role is best typified by the commitment of the Department of Education (DepEd) to inclusive, equitable and quality education for all Filipino learners. If so, when catching a glimpse of the life of a public school teacher is almost captured in the disturbing words “overworked but underpaid.” Indeed, all important operative words.
Belies a sadness, a mentor seems hurt but undeterred by the cold, dismissive attitude of the national government in helping her. You can see by the solemn look on her face that the teacher is feeling the pains of the difficult economic times.
I reckon it ain’t the hardest yet she’d even seen no more. Prices of basic goods and services are up toi further spike up in the coming weeks.
At a time when poverty in the Philippines is worsening due to negligence and coronation within the government, it is hard to ignore the call for higher salaries for teachers.
It gives little or no comfort at all to be told that inflation is rising drastically while teachers’ wages are stagnant. Thus, the pronoun cements that under the “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines) hash tag their lives are better. When they feel “very bad” because making both ends meet is extremely impossible. The government’s much chronicled propaganda slogan is worthless.
This is about the plight of poverty-stricken teachers. They have same priorities as the parents of learners in classrooms across the country. Also, their goal: bring food at the table for their loved ones. But food inflation is a problem. The teacher can either be a good provider or on the list of day dreamers- but not both.
Sadly, poverty is shattering their dreams. This is surely disheartening.
At the current level of implementation, a substantial part of the legitimate demand for salary increase and better social protection for teachers will not be realized due to lack of political will and inadequate number of pro-teachers, pro-education legislators in the national and local level.
How a councilor took care of the teacher’s plea for better wages matters. Only being re-elected in 2028 mattered to him now. Beyond commending a teacher, the most important protections are neglected. Resolutions of this nature only work to please the teacher for a minute or so. Otherwise, these resolutions become meaningless-or worse, are non-binding to merit even a Php 500 bonus! What fools these councilors are!
Putting into office in 2028 such aspirants who shall advance their agenda is needed to fast track a transformation program responsive to the current education crisis.
These timely recommendations and strategies are based on the need to save tormented teachers from the high cost of living and ushering the possible growth of the education sector. This will provide a level playing field and expand opportunities to good and dedicated teachers by reducing threats to leave the profession for greener pastures abroad
It is a hope that dares to imagine a future where every teacher pursues a profession with a family waiting at home after class.**
