World Teachers’ Day incentive from DepEd criticized by teachers’ group

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) has expressed their dissatisfaction on Friday, Sept. 9, over the P1,000 World Teachers’ Day incentive of the Department of Education (DepEd) for public school teachers.

More than tokenistic gestures, what our teachers need are more significant measures to address our overworked, underpaid, and unsupported conditions,

said ACT Chairperson Vladimer Quetua.

On Sept. 8, the DepEd announced that they will continue to provide qualified public-school teachers with the P1,000 World Teachers’ Day Incentive Benefit (WTDIB) to honor their hard work and sacrifices.

Instead of this unrewarding incentive, it would be better if the national government would upgrade teachers’ salaries and reduce the workload of teachers,

the group said.

ACT added that all of these are achievable if the government will give education the funds and attention it deserves.

By doubling the current education budget, teachers’ conditions can be uplifted, and education recovery can be propelled,

said Quetua.

The National Teachers’ Month is celebrated from Sept. 5 to Oct. 5 yearly to express appreciation to both active and retired Filipino educators.