IN recognition of the achievements achieved from efforts given by teachers and non-teaching personnel in the country’s educational institutions, senators have joined the clamor for the increase of wages of public teachers to compensate for their important role in the development of the Filipino youth and society.
This followed the filing by come backing lady senator Loren Legarda of Senate Bill No. 2, which seeks to amend specific provisions of Republic Act No. 4670 or the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers that seeks additional benefits and protection to all teaching and non-teaching personnel in public schools throughout the country.
Included in the significant amendments incorporated under SBN 2 is the provision of security of tenure and fair wages for school personnel aside from protection of their fundamental rights related to gender equality.
“The minimum base pay for teachers working in public schools starts at Salary Grade 11 or roughly PhP25,400 per month. We want to give them fair salaries through this measure that we just filed,” Legarda pointed out.
“We care for our teachers as they are vital to our education system, and just like our healthcare workers, they, too, are at the forefront,” she added.
SBN 2 also ensures protection with respect to their rights, benefits, and leave, as well as heavier penalties for violating any of the provisions stated in the measure.
“We owe much of our achievements to our teachers and non-teaching personnel, and we want to promote their social, economic, and professional status. We must create policies that are beneficial to them so they would be able to help their families as much as they help our youth enrich themselves through quality education,” she likewise cited.
SBN 2 is supported by senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Jinggoy Estrada who both agreed that the proposed increase in salary of public school teachers has been included in the priority list for the 19th Congress.
