Press Release
August 18, 2018

ANGARA: ADDRESS PLIGHT OF TEACHERS TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF EDUCATION

Senator Sonny Angara is pushing for wide-ranging reforms to improve the quality of life of public school teachers, which he said, would lead to a better quality of education in the country.

Speaking before the "Araw ng mga Guro" celebration in Quezon Province, Angara promised to prioritize in his legislative agenda the needs of the education sector, especially of public school teachers so they can get better salary and improve their profession.

"Mulat po tayo sa mga pagsubok na pinagdadaanan ng ating mga guro. Ang aking ina ay naging teacher din po, habang ang aking ama ay dating presidente ng UP at nagturo din siya ng abogasya.

"Dahil hindi sapat ang kinikita, marami sa ating mga guro ang abonado pa sa pagbili ng mga gamit sa pagtuturo. Napipilitan tuloy silang umutang maitawid lang ang mga pangangailangan nila. Kaya patuloy po nating isusulong ang iba't ibang reporma para matulungan kayo at ang inyong pamilya na guminhawa ang buhay," he said.

After making free public education possible from kindergarten to college, Angara said the next step is to ensure the quality of education in the country.

He has filed Senate Bill 135 which seeks to increase the minimum salary of public school teachers. "Kung hindi man ito mapasa sa Kongreso, patuloy tayong mananawagan sa Presidente na isunod na ang mga titser sa mga makatatanggap ng mas mataas na sahod, pagkatapos ng mga pulis at sundalo," he added.

Other reforms Angara is pushing include:

  •  Increasing the chalk allowance of teachers to P5,000 from P3,50, under SB 1871;

  • Promoting teachers welfare by providing free legal assistance and training in classroom management, under SB 1870 or the Teacher Protection Act; and,

  •  Lowering the optional retirement age from 60 years old to 55 years old under SB 1872.

"Our teachers are considered to be the heart of the educational system. Ang mga panukalang ito ay bilang sukli at pagpupugay para sa serbisyo at sakripisyo n'yo para sa bayan," the senator said.

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