The resumption of face-to-face (F2F) classes must bring to focus the hardships of the country’s teachers, Senator Joel Villanueva said.
Villanueva made this remark as he pushed anew for the passage of bills that alleviate the condition of educators.
“Outside of their academic tasks, many teachers spend their own money to shoulder classroom-related expenses and assist needy students.”
The veteran legislator emphasized that outside of their academic tasks, many teachers spend their own money to shoulder classroom-related expenses and assist needy students.
“We must pay our teachers for what they are worth given the responsibility they carry on their shoulders — our children’s learning and future,” the seasoned lawmaker said.
The senator acknowledged that the most ideal measure for both teaching and non-teaching personnel is a “salary upgrade.” However, he said it is more realistic to increase their allowances.
“We propose to provide additional grocery and transportation allowance, and medical allowance for teaching and non-teaching personnel.”
“We propose to provide additional grocery and transportation allowance, and medical allowance for teaching and non-teaching personnel in public basic education schools (Senate Bill No. 564), as well as teaching personnel in our [State Universities and Colleges] and [technical vocational institutions] (Senate Bill No. 565),” Villanueva added.
Meanwhile, he also reminded the Department of Education (DepEd) to ensure that its “all systems go” for the opening of classes must be matched with the readiness on the ground of the facilities, teachers, and students.
“The era of missing classrooms, sharing tables and chairs, and holding classes under the shade of trees must no longer happen. We expect our students to have their classes in comfortable classrooms and with complete learning materials as promised by DepEd,” Villanueva stressed.
Moreover, he said minimum public health standards must continue to be observed amid the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.
