Philippine government continues to ignore the plight of the educational sector; setting aside the importance of educational investment to solve the long-time problems in education.
“Education is the only wealth that could never be taken away from you”, great grandparents often uttered. Yes, education will always be the sword that will defend people from the enemies of ignorance and intellectual drainage but sad to say that education in the country leads the obvious gap between the rich and the poor.
Exclusive schools cater those who can afford and restrict enrollees who claim that education is gratis. True scenario dictates that the government cannot really offer quality education for free because it invests less.
Job opportunities from investors outside the country require graduates coming from reputable schools which make the others the opposite. These reputable schools welcome well off families (though some of them offer scholarships for the poor but deserving students), but still dividing those who can and those who cannot.
Exclusive schools banner that tuition fees are directed to the salaries of teachers thus their teachers are expected to deliver. Logical enough but doesn't give public school teachers reasons not to deliver.
Needless to say but public school teachers have long been suffering from salary injustice. The government is even challenged to check salary take home pay of teachers in the country so as to establish a basis of immediate concern.
The government needs to realize that it has a promising collection of determined teachers willing to help the government educate its people and later on dream and act to give back what is due to their country once backed up by government support.
Solutions? First, if teachers are highly paid with at least P20, 000-25,000 basic monthly pay, they can perform better and more efficiently because dedication to help the government as per capital is far well and tested. Moreover, increased pay can motivate teachers to invest for professional growth and development.
Second, if teachers are given justifiable connection to 30-students per class, achievement is validated by hands on evaluation assessment of students' performance.
And third, if teachers are given learning resources and classrooms conducive to learning, there is no doubt for the achievement of the DepEd's thrust of providing quality education for the poor.
Only then, the government can demand much interest of its investments because public school teachers cannot be martyrs receiving instructions to deliver much though being paid less for the next 25 years. They have mouths to feed and minds to liberate from financial worries.
If military officers' pay increase is backed up by threats of their lives, teachers' role is even more threatening for the potential of this generation lies upon them.
