Every election period, we are not new to platforms of politicians and lawmakers including the augmentation of salary for teachers as their key priority upon being elected. Unfortunately, year after year, we also hear news over the television and radios about teachers and party lists rallying for a raise in their pay. Several administrations have already passed but the issue still remains to be unresolved. It is now just to discuss this matter.
Perhaps, many will agree that teaching is a noble profession and that teachers make good professionals out of practicing their vocation. Indeed, great people aren’t just self-made. Someone has to take part in their upbringing. Our teachers play a major role in shaping our children’s future. They help them shape their values and create their own vision for themselves. They even form our future leaders and if not for them, we may not have the best doctors, engineers, scientists and lawyers we have today. All these professions make good money, but not teaching. In fact, only few people in the academe receives an adequate amount and a fair compensation for their work. Among which are the principals, master teachers, supervisors, superintendents, regional directors-or the education secretary. This situation leaves behind a larger portion of the teaching force.
The government should look into this matter seriously. If there are people who do noble jobs but whose efforts are not well compensated, these are the teachers. Although there may be benefits offered to them, these are quite meager and do not solve the problem of underpayment.
In an interview with Senator Richard Gordon, he mentioned that the current salary of a teacher can get as low as P18, 500 compared to P130, 000 a month for teachers in Singapore. True enough, this is the reason why a lot of teachers take a chance for a career opportunity outside the country. How can we blame them? They are being paid unjustly and on top of that, they are also subject to several deductions taking home only a very minimal peso for their families. Given this situation, how do you expect them not to proceed to money lenders? Of course, they are aware how this move could make them more financially unstable but come on, it’s the situation that forces them to proceed and close a deal.
No wonder there are teachers who sell goods for an extra income to their students or other school personnel. They are willing even at their fifties to walk in their neatly pressed uniform with a bag filled with teaching materials in one hand and a set of merchandise or goods in the other. The government should not wait for that moment when our teachers would all go on a strike for their right to a better pay.
By: Lourdes L. Manguiob | Teacher III | Samal National High School
