Teachers acquire loans to prepare classrooms

Teacher Dignity Coalition chair Benjo Basas cited reports of teachers acquiring loans to buy paint, iron sheets and glass panes to prepare their classrooms.

“That is the problem of our teachers. While they are sincere in volunteering, they are being taken advantage of,” Basas said.

He said teachers are also soliciting funds from private donors to buy the materials needed for in-person classes.

The Department of Education (DepEd) acknowledged the teachers’ effort and advised them to coordinate with their school heads for reimbursement.

“We confirm that there are teachers who are doing beyond the regular work for beautifying, enhancing and putting more things in the classroom,” Annalyn Sevilla, DepEd undersecretary for finance, said.

“We are thankful to our teachers [for] their creativity and resourcefulness, but we don’t want them to be abused as well,” Sevilla said.