MANILA, Philippines — Teachers will enjoy a 30-day break after the school year and a reduction of their administrative tasks from 56 to 11, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte announced on Friday.
In her speech during the “Gurobaganza” activity in line with the National Teachers’ Month celebration, Duterte said these two reforms will soon be enforced in all public schools nationwide.
A website to assist teachers with financial loan contract problems will also be launched.
“We are set to release a memo prohibiting principals, division superintendents and regional directors from requiring teachers to do work during the 30-day break,” Duterte said.
“We will remove administrative tasks that are without legal basis or explanation,” Duterte added.
Sen. Imee Marcos, who also joined the activity, pledged her commitment to teachers in pushing the increase of their chalk allowance from P5,000 to P7,500 or even up to P10,000, as she admitted that the increase of their salaries may not happen yet.
Marcos also gave 25 kilos of rice and lipsticks to each of the teachers, aside from P1,000 each given by her and Sen. Francis Tolentino, who joined also Duterte in the activity, aside from giving away laptops, printers and smart television sets as raffle prizes.
“These initiatives are testament to our understanding of your challenges and our determination to ensure you focus on what you do best, and that is teaching,” Duterte said, stressing that the Department of Education’s vision is to provide innovative, long-term solutions to basic education challenges. (Gilbert Bayoran / The Philippine Star)
