Angara's BSP Engagement Signals Progress on Teacher Salary Concerns
Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara's recent engagement with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) represents a significant and positive development in tackling the pressing financial challenges faced by teachers and education workers across the Philippines. This collaborative effort underscores a growing recognition that the economic stability of educators is fundamentally connected to their ability to deliver high-quality instruction in public schools.
Financial Security as a Foundation for Educational Quality
We strongly support Secretary Angara's position presented to the BSP, which emphasizes that the financial well-being of teachers and education personnel is directly tied to their capacity to provide effective education. When teachers achieve financial security, they can focus more on their pedagogical duties, leading to measurable improvements in public education outcomes. This issue has become particularly urgent as the nation grapples with a learning crisis that has reached critical levels, affecting millions of students.
Angara's Legislative History on Teacher Compensation
During his two consecutive terms as senator, Sonny Angara proactively filed legislative measures aimed at increasing the salaries of public school teachers. His proposals sought to elevate the minimum salary grade from Salary Grade 11, which ranges from P27,000 to P28,512, to Salary Grade 19, offering a more substantial range of P53,873 to P59,573. The core rationale behind these Senate initiatives remains not only relevant but critically urgent in today's educational landscape.
The Persistent Challenge of Teacher Underpayment
Despite their expanding workloads, mounting responsibilities, and central role in national development, teachers continue to rank among the most underpaid workers in the country. Their compensation fails to reflect the immense contribution they make to the public education system, while ongoing salary distortions further disadvantage them compared to other professions. This disparity highlights a systemic issue that demands immediate and comprehensive action.
Feasibility of Substantial Salary Increases
Providing meaningful salary increases for teachers is entirely feasible for the government, especially when considering the substantial funding allocated to other projects. For instance, from 2023 to 2025, the administration has earmarked approximately P980 billion to over P1 trillion for flood control initiatives. In comparison, allocating hundreds of billions annually to support a P50,000 entry-level salary for nearly one million public school teachers nationwide is clearly achievable with proper budget prioritization.
A Matter of National Priorities
This situation ultimately boils down to a question of national priorities. It involves choosing to value educators and the broader public workforce over other interests, such as corrupt political dynasties, entitled legislators, favored contractors, and bureaucrat capitalists. By redirecting resources toward teacher compensation, the government can demonstrate a genuine commitment to educational excellence and social equity.
