By Anthony A. Araos
October is always seen as a time for extolling the role of teachers in Philippine society- but the truth is, you can do it every single morning. Each morning is a chance to be good to them. Why wait for a decade or two to give them higher wages? Don’t be too hard on our overworked but underpaid mentors.
Today, life is hard for a public school teacher because of rising costs of living. Surely, raising her or his salary is a well-deserved “gift” from the national government. Dropping by the supermarket, grocery or even sari-sari store will provide one an explanation of what I’m pointing out.
For example, “making both ends meet” with the Php500, let’s say, at the flea market is an extremely impossible task. Prices of meat, eggs, fish, vegetables and fruits are so high. The problem is caused by the inability of the government to contain the high inflation rate.
Under these circumstances, teachers truly face the challenges of performing multi-faceted tasks in and out of the classroom. Preparing lesson plans, conducting examinations and tutorials, taking part in civic parades, spearheading the BrigadaEskwela program even performing election-related duties. All with the promotion of the common good in mind.
All the time, the government says it understands the needs of public school teachers throughout the country. “Kudos for their dedication to service,” it usually adds.
With due indulgence to Education Secretary Sonny Angara, I hope you understand that we really have to look into the plight of a lowly-paid teacher.
This ought to be comforting for each one who feels bad about their shabby treatment for many years or who thinks the future largely looks hopeless.
Significant salary increase is the answer to this longstanding problem. It is intended to mitigate the effects of inflation. Time to face reality. Prices of pork, chicken and many other food items are to spike come December of this year and only exacerbate inflation further. And by January of next year, there’s only continued uncertainty and ambiguity of food supplies, thus, higher prices of basic commodities.
It is disheartening every time I hear that the government is all-out supporting the call to promote their welfare and all that is awaiting them- all over again, are “empty promises” of being beneficiaries of a significant salary hike.
The wonder of it all that more and more teachers are now living this so-called “noble” profession are in search of “greener pastures” abroad. Small wonder, tales of lowly-compensated teachers who opted to work in Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea or Saudi Arabia are not isolated. Mind you, they exchanged their four-year college degrees and License Examinations for Teachers (LET) at that to work as domestic or factory workers in other countries. I have relatives and friends who took this path. Inadequate pay check greatly affected them on a day-to-day basis and they realized there is a need to uproot their loved ones from poverty. Enough is enough! I take no pleasure in mentioning this. But, that’s the truth of the matter. It would be quite sad and still okay because I had a purpose.
We don’t need to remind ourselves that people who have succeeded in life- with all its adulation and grandeur, owe it all to teachers.
The lowly-paid public school teacher, who is often described as an “unsung hero of the nation”, but is now neglected after all his or her sacrifices.
Teachers continue to play a critical role in nation-building. Know their worth. Strongly believe in them. The opportunity to improve their lives is now.
I look forward to incoming officials on finally resolving this problem so teachers can fulfill their role of providing the young quality education.
So just like that after these foregoing thoughts, I’m fervently praying for a wage hike, and it wasn’t difficult at all. It’s a decision I swiftly made. Again, I believe it was the right thingto do. Give them unfailing love. Giving them their rightful share of the pie with loving kindness.
For the Christmas season, they need a “gift” filled with tender, love and care (TLC) and warmth of the holidays. Thus, I see the need for substantial salary hike!
To the teacher. On the day this takes place- hopefully, between now and May 12, 2025, for obvious reasons, buy yourself a new shirt before its price tag gets higher. Enjoy the day! From “New Society” to “New Philippines,” there’s always a move from the Palace dictated by political expediency. If not, till next time.! Or 2028. If not, voice out the clamor for their salary increase over and over for as long as it is required. Teachers will have many benefits from it, if we do.**
