Sara vows to carry out Magna Carta provisions on teachers' workload

Education Secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday committed to pushing for the implementation of legislated policies for the benefit of public school teachers.

"We will implement the policy on the distribution of teacher workload and payment of teaching overload, as provided in the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers," Duterte said at the presentation of the Basic Education Report 2023 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza.

"We have also requested the Department of Budget and Management to expand the coverage for the grant of Special Hardship Allowances," she added.

She said the Department of Education would continue working to address the issues affecting the net-take-home pay of teachers.

Duterte also said the DepEd is discussing with the Department of Health the provision of providing free annual physical examinations for teachers.

Further, the DepEd is also coordinating with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for an improved and superior benefits package for all DepEd personnel, according to Duterte.

"We will resolve issues on teachers’ loans, premium remittances, and other benefits. We have committed to meeting at least once a month until these issues are resolved," Duterte said.

"Lastly, we are looking to provide free legal assistance facility for teachers on matters concerning loan contracts, obligations, and cases," she added.

As she presented the report, Duterte mentioned that the DepEd was set to revise the K to 12 curriculum in a bid to produce more job-ready and responsible graduates.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) said the plan lacks concrete targets and does not respond to the concerns of teachers, according to a report on "24 Oras."

"Iyon po 'yung solusyon sana sa napakalaking problemang ito, 'yung pag-a-allocate ng sapat na pondo sa sector na 'to...gustong marinig sana ng mga teachers pero hindi natin narinig yung tungkol sa sweldo," ACT secretary general Raymond Basilio said.

DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa said the department would no longer comment on ACT's remarks.—NB, GMA Integrated News