MANILA, Philippines — Assistant Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Representative France Castro on Tuesday slammed President Rodrigo Duterte for his remarks saying teachers are less important than the police and military.
Castro said teachers are as important as cops, soldiers and other uniformed personnel and should be compensated with the same priority.
“Kaya pala matagal at napaka barat ng dagdag sahod na binigay sa mga guro at iba pang kawani ng gobyerno ng administrasyong Duterte, napakaliit rin ng pagtingin at pagpapahalaga ng gobyerno sa sarili niyang mga kawani na kapwa nagbibigay ng serbisyo sa mamamayang Pilipino,” Castro said.
“No wonder this government is so quick to provide the military and other uniformed personnel double salaries while teachers would have to wait three years for a scanty wage hike and watch their salary increases be eaten up by the rising prices of basic goods due to the TRAIN Law. What does President Duterte have against teachers? Just because a profession does not carry firearms does not mean they are less important than those who do.”
Castro said teachers play a very important role in nation-building. Educators guide the youth and help advance human knowledge through critical thinking and guided analysis.
“They should not be treated less important especially to those who carry guns and bombs which destroy and kill communities,” Castro added.
Salaries of teachers have already been left behind compared to other professions with similar workloads and qualifications, Castro also said.
The Magna Carta for Public School teachers states that salaries must compare favorably with those paid in other occupations requiring equivalent or similar qualifications, training, and abilities to also insure teachers a reasonable standard of life for themselves and their families. “It is the responsibility of the Government to ensure that the salaries of teachers compare favorably with those of other professions with similar workload and qualifications,” Castro added.
“The government already relies on public school teachers on so many things. The service they provide goes beyond their lesson plans. They are also nurses, social workers, guidance counselors and serve in the elections. They cross rivers and climb mountains just to be able to reach their schools and communities,” Castro said.
“There are still many tasks assigned to teachers that are jobs ought to be done by employees of other government agencies. Moreover, the lack of education support personnel forces teachers to fulfill the roles of nurses, guidance counselors, maintenance staff, security guards, clerks and many others. Marami pa ring gawain sa loob ng paaralan na hindi kabilang sa job description ng mga guro ang pilit pa ring ipinagagawa sa kanila. Hindi katanggap-tanggap na hindi ito nakikita ng gobyerno at malala pa ay minamaliit pa ito ng presidente na parang walang sakripisyong ginagawa ang mga guro ng ating bansa,” Castro said.
Teachers and other government employees will continue to demand the substantial salary increase they deserve. More importantly, they will not allow being treated as less important, Castro also said. (CurrentPH/STACY ANG/JGo)
