8 Senate Candidates Vow To Increase Teachers’ Salary

Eight aspirants for senator vowed to upgrade the salary of teachers and increase the budget of the Education department if they won in May election.

The eight — Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, Sen. Leila de Lima, and Rep. Loren Legarda, Neri Colmenares, Elmer “Bong” Labog, Jose “Sonny” Matula and former Ifugao representative Teodoro “Teddy” Baguilat — said that answering the education crisis will be their priority.

They were united in giving their support for a salary increase for teachers, especially the upgrade of entry level pay from salary grade 11 to salary grade 15.

Legarda said that teachers’ pay has been left behind from other professions. 

Matula said that teachers had no choice but to find jobs abroad because of their low salary.

Gatchalian said that increasing teachers’ salary will uplift their morale and entice the youth to take the teaching path.

Colmenares said that teachers should also be paid for overtime work.

Baguilat proposed a standard minimum pay for private school teachers.

De Lima said the country needs more teachers and more schools to improve the teacher-student ratio.

“We are most elated that our invited senatorial candidates have pledged to work for the fulfilment of the current Duterte government’s failed promise of substantially raising teachers’ salaries, as well as its denial of due benefits such as the overtime pay. Low teachers’ pay is one of the core issues and a glaring reflection of the dim state of our education, it is but apt that this should be a top priority in addressing the education crisis,” Raymond Basilio, ACT secretary general, said.