Math, science teachers get 3-step salary increase

The Department of Education (DepEd) has come out with the implementing guidelines on the grant of three-step salary increase for teachers of science and/or mathematics in public schools to further improve their teaching of these major subjects.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has earlier issued a circular pursuant to a Joint Resolution No. 4 of the Senate and House of Representatives which states that teachers with specialization in science and/or mathematics shall be given additional pay three steps higher than his/her assigned grade.

The National Budget Circular No. 531 series of 2011 states that the grant of a three-step salary increase serves as an incentive for teachers to specialize in science and/or mathematics in line with the thrust of giving focus to teaching these subjects as early as in basic education.

“Science and mathematics are critical tools of industrialization which we surely need to improve our global competitiveness,” said DepEd secretary Armin Luistro.

The guideline covers incumbent Teacher I, II, III in public elementary and secondary schools who specialize in teaching science and mathematics.

The initial grant of step increment started in January 2011 while the succeeding grants are made operative every January of the year.

A one-time three-step salary increment shall be granted to a teacher who meets the criteria on educational attainment, teaching load, performance rating, teaching experience, and related training.

Based on DepEd Order 79 series of 2002, the school head shall determine qualified teachers based on the review of submitted documents which are: approved appointment, transcript of records, certificates of training completed in science and math, individual teachers program indicating daily subject load for the last three school years, performance rating for the last three years and updated service records.

The order also stipulated that for a teacher to be qualified to the step increment, he/she must have been teaching science and/or math continuously for the last three years. — Newsbytes.ph