₱50,000 Entry-Level Salary for Teachers: Why This Issue Matters to Me

₱50,000 entry-level salary for teachers is not just a number. For me, it stands for dignity, fairness, and hope for our public schools. I have spoken with many teachers over the years. I have seen their tired faces, heard their worries, and felt their frustration. Many love teaching, yet many also think of leaving because their pay is not enough.

Today, the call to raise teacher pay is louder again. The Alliance of Concerned Teachers Philippines (ACT Philippines) is urging the Department of Education (DepEd) to push for a ₱50,000 entry-level salary for public school teachers. This comes at a time when our education system faces deep problems that affect students, parents, and teachers alike.

In this article, I will share why this demand matters, what ACT Philippines is asking for, and why better pay can help fix the education crisis. I will also share my own thoughts, based on real conversations and lived stories from teachers.

The Education Crisis We See Every Day

The education crisis is not abstract. I see it when classrooms are overcrowded. I hear it when teachers buy chalk, paper, and even food for students using their own money. I feel it when teachers say they work long hours, then go home worried about bills.

Low pay sits at the center of this crisis. Many public school teachers start with salaries that struggle to meet basic needs. Rent, food, transport, and family support eat up their income fast. Some turn to loans just to survive month to month.

When teachers are underpaid, schools suffer. When schools suffer, students lose. This is why ACT Philippines keeps saying that fair teacher pay is a public concern, not a private issue.

ACT Philippines Calls on DepEd to Act

ACT Philippines recently renewed its call for DepEd to support a ₱50,000 entry-level salary. This appeal followed talks between DepEd and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas about teachers’ financial problems.

ACT welcomed DepEd’s effort to ask for better loan terms for teachers. That step helps in the short term. Yet ACT stressed that loans are not a real fix. Loans add pressure. Higher salaries bring stability.

According to ACT Chairperson Ruby Bernardo, when teachers feel financially secure, public education improves. I agree with this deeply. A teacher who is not worried about debt can focus on lesson plans, student care, and skill growth.

The Role of DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara

ACT Philippines directly urged Sonny Angara, the DepEd Secretary, to champion this long-standing demand. Angara has shown support for higher teacher pay in the past, both as a lawmaker and in talks with teacher groups.

During his time as a senator, Angara filed bills that aimed to raise teacher salaries by increasing the minimum salary grade. These proposals recognized a simple truth: teachers do heavy work that shapes the nation’s future, yet their pay stays low.

ACT believes that Angara understands this issue well. What they ask now is firm action. They want him to push this cause to the highest levels of government, including Ferdinand Marcos Jr..

Why ₱50,000 Entry-Level Salary for Teachers Is Fair

Some people ask, “Is ₱50,000 too high?” I ask a different question: “Is it fair for teachers to live with dignity?”

Teachers carry large workloads. They handle classes, prepare lessons, check papers, attend meetings, and guide students with personal struggles. Many also act as counselors, record keepers, and community workers.

Despite this, public school teachers remain among the lowest-paid workers with college degrees. Their pay does not match their duties. A ₱50,000 entry-level salary helps close this gap.

Fair pay also shows respect. It tells teachers that society values their effort and skill. Respect boosts morale, and morale lifts performance.

Salary Increases vs Short-Term Fixes

DepEd’s talks with financial institutions focused on loan relief. While helpful, this approach treats symptoms, not the cause. Loans offer breathing room but create long-term stress.

ACT Philippines made this clear. Sustainable teacher welfare needs higher base pay. When salaries rise, teachers rely less on loans. They gain control over their finances.

I once spoke with a teacher who had three active loans at the same time. She joked about it, yet her eyes showed worry. A better salary could have spared her that burden.

Missed Chances in Education Reports

ACT criticized major education reports for leaving out teacher pay increases. These include the final report of EDCOM II and earlier proposals from EDCOM I.

For ACT, this silence shows misplaced priorities. Any serious plan to fix education must address the people who deliver it daily. Ignoring teacher pay weakens reform efforts.

When I read education plans that focus only on buildings or tools, I feel uneasy. Classrooms matter, yes. Books matter too. Yet teachers matter most.

Is the Government Able to Fund Higher Pay?

ACT Philippines argues that higher teacher salaries are financially possible. They point to large government spending in other areas, such as flood control projects worth nearly ₱1 trillion over recent years.

This raises a question of priorities. If funds exist for massive projects, why not for educators? Teachers shape future workers, leaders, and citizens. Investing in them brings long-term gains.

From my view, budgets show values. Choosing teachers means choosing education as a true national priority.

More Than One Demand from ACT

ACT Philippines is not asking only for a ₱50,000 entry-level salary. Their calls include:

• ₱36,000 minimum pay for Salary Grade 1 government workers
• Salary Grade 16 for Instructor I roles
• Standard pay for private school teachers equal to public school rates

These demands aim to reduce inequality within the education sector. They also protect private school teachers, many of whom earn even less.

How Better Pay Helps Students

When teachers earn fair wages, students benefit. Teachers stay longer in their jobs. They gain experience. They invest more time in teaching.

High teacher turnover harms learning. New teachers need time to adjust. Students lose continuity. Better pay encourages teachers to stay and grow.

I remember a school where three teachers left in one year. Students struggled to adjust. A higher salary could have helped retain those teachers.

Teacher Pay and National Growth

Education shapes national growth. Skilled teachers produce skilled students. Skilled students build strong communities and industries.

Low teacher pay sends a message that education work lacks value. This discourages young people from entering the profession. Over time, this weakens the talent pool.

Raising entry-level pay to ₱50,000 can attract bright graduates. It can restore pride in teaching as a profession.

My Personal Reflection on Teacher Struggles

I grew up knowing teachers who worked beyond school hours. Some tutored at night. Some sold goods on weekends. They did this not out of choice, but out of need.

Seeing this left a mark on me. Teachers deserve rest, focus, and peace of mind. They should spend evenings improving lessons, not worrying about bills.

This is why I support the call for a ₱50,000 entry-level salary for teachers. It feels right, fair, and long overdue.

What DepEd Can Do Right Now

DepEd has influence. It can push this demand in budget talks. It can speak firmly to economic managers. It can show strong support for teachers in public forums.

ACT Philippines wants DepEd to move from acknowledgment to action. Words matter, yet policies matter more.

Clear support from DepEd can speed up change.

Why Public Support Is Important

Teachers can not win this fight alone. Parents, students, and citizens must speak up. When the public supports teacher pay, leaders listen.

We all gain from better schools. We all share responsibility in shaping education policy.

If you value your child’s future, support teachers today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

₱50,000 entry-level salary for teachers is not an extreme demand. It is a call for justice. It is a call to value those who shape young minds.

I believe that when teachers thrive, schools thrive. When schools thrive, the nation grows stronger.

Now is the time to act.