Sen. Gatchalian calls for better teacher support as SY 2025-2026 opens

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday called for stronger support for teachers through easing their workload and equipping them with necessary training, now that School Year 2025-2026 has formally begun.

Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, underscored the importance of teacher training and ensuring the availability of quality learning and teaching materials.

He also backed moves to decongest teachers’ workload and streamline their workflow, which he said would require “increased adoption of digital technology.”

“Sa ating mga guro nakasalalay ang tagumpay ng mga repormang nais nating ipatupad sa ating sistema ng edukasyon. Kailangang suportahan natin sila upang matiyak nating epektibo sila sa kanilang tungkuling tiyaking natututo ang ating mga kabataan,” Gatchalian said in a statement. 

(The success of the reforms we want to implement in our education system depends on our teachers. We need to support them to ensure that they are effectively doing their jobs in ensuring that the students learn.) 

Gatchalian also reiterated the call to expedite the hiring of non-teaching personnel to work on administrative tasks. 

Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Monday acknowledged that the Philippines is facing a literacy crisis but assured the public that the Department of Education (DepEd) is working on targeted reforms, starting with early grade interventions and support for overburdened teachers.

Angara said the administration has approved the hiring of 20,000 new teacher items this year, along with 10,000 administrative officers.

The additional admin staff are expected to reduce teachers’ non-teaching tasks like fixing printers or managing school logistics.

DepEd is also studying the possibility of offering overtime pay for teachers who take on extra shifts, although current laws cap teaching hours at six per day. —VAL, GMA Integrated News