Bills to hike teachers’ allowance get support
THE Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) on Wednesday said it supports measures seeking to grant Teaching Supplies Allowance or the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act filed in Congress.
TDC national chairperson Benjo G. Basas said the proposals aim to institutionalize the granting of P10, 000 annual teaching supplies allowance for teachers.
Currently, public school teachers receive a P5,000 cash previously called chalk allowance.
Basas added that it is important to note that the current amount only started to be given in 2021 or during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic when teachers are in high demand for gadgets and internet connectivity.
However, while the amount was raised to P5,000, its intended expenses also expanded and now include internet and communication expenses and even the annual medical and physical examination which should be provided to teachers for free.
“While we welcome these proposals, we recommend the assessment and review of previous expenses of the DEPED for the P300 monthly communications expenses reimbursement from March to December 2020 which was not released to teachers, as well as the purchase of SIM cards and prepaid phone load; providing a separate fund for internet and communications expenses of not less than P1,500 per month; and implementation of Sec. 22 of the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers or the free medical check-up, hospitalization and medication for teachers,” Basas said.
