Exact things teachers needed for them to live a secured life

Is there even a secured life for teachers here in the Philippines? I don’t seem to see the security and the comfort as a teacher myself. Instead of being secured, there is stress and anxiety in everything we do. There are only five (5) things that teachers need in order for them to at least live a comfortable if not, a decently secured life.

1. Good justified salary

This salary we are talking about is not those given to us by tranches every year. People might be fooled to hear that teachers get to have their salary increase but they don’t really know the reality that those increases were not really visible to us. Instead, it added to our taxable amount. In short, it is a front act to hide the real scenario. A good, justified salary is something about a one-time increase in the amount where visible to the real take-home pay of the teachers. The government can’t give it to us but when the highest officials travel outside the country, they won’t budge with the amount it will entail to send them and their assistants somewhere out there. Sad teachers, deprived of their own money while the high officials are well-taken care of. Sad reality indeed.

2. Peaceful conducive working environment

Teachers’ security also involves having a peaceful and conducive working environment. It means teachers don’t want to work in a place where there is no unity and harmony. If teachers will work harmoniously there is a conducive working environment. Most of the time, this is not the scenario in public schools and one factor is the principal.

3. Actual teaching work

Teachers need to teach and teach alone, not do paperwork that is supposed to be the work of the non-teaching staff in the school. In the past decades, teachers were very efficient and effective because they could focus on their subjects without further ancillary works coming from the principal. How come lately, the education sector didn’t seem to notice that?

4. Usable and justified health benefits

GSIS, Pag-ibig, PhilHealth? Nah, never mind mentioning them because they are a waste of time. They never seemed to be helpful to the teachers. Instead, they are pulling and dragging the teachers down. Teachers and government employees can relate to this. What good is it to have deductions monthly only to find out we can never get to use them in times of need? Shame to the higher officials leading these institutions.

5. Good retirement benefits

If the retirement benefit is good then surely teachers will have a happy retirement plan. The reality is not this good. Trust me, in the Philippines, you die without even enjoying the retirement benefit due for you. Sixty is not a good age to retire, I guess 50 will do. If you really want to enjoy then 50 is a good age to retire, unlike 60 you don’t know if you can still live up to that age.

If these five exact things are not on the list, better quit as soon as you realize that you are being held captive in your own profession. These days, we don’t say “teaching is my passion” anymore. Instead, “we need money to survive.” After working for how many years in the department, I can finally see the reality of the sad life of teachers and that includes me. Right now, I am side hustling myself to earn more for my salary cannot guarantee to pay my bills and buy enough food for my family.

Modern teachers won’t tell you anymore that teaching is their passion because the reality is, we all work for money. Money in the form of salary is the motivation we all need. Everything nowadays won’t work without money. So above all, money is the most effective motivation for teachers to be more enthusiastic in their field.

In conclusion, ensuring teachers’ security involves addressing their need for a justified salary, a peaceful working environment, actual teaching responsibilities, usable health benefits, and good retirement benefits. By focusing on these areas, we can hope to provide a more secure and satisfying life for teachers in the Philippines. – Avril | Helpline PH