By John Ryan C. Dela Cruz
September 16, 2011 was declared as National Chalk Day by The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT). The move was materialized not to literally suspend classes but to show to the government that the chalk allowance given to teachers is too far fromenough.
Teachers throughout the country received P700 as their chalk allowance or P3.50 per day which is not sufficient to cover all the teaching supplies needed by teachers to deliver effectively the lessons for 203 days in a year. For this, teachers are asking the government for an increase, that is from P700 to P2,000.
Teachers have been engaged in a long battle fighting for an increase of their salary which until now seems to be floating in the wilderness, for no government official is brave enough champion the cause all teachers are fighting for.
On the other hand, the standardization law of salary somehow helps teachers’ finances but still it is not enough considering that prices of prime commodities are soaring high and that cost living in our country also increases.
Furthermore, big percentage of teacher’s salary goes to transportation fees and procurement of school materials. I guess these reasons are vital for consideration so that the salary for teachers be increased.
The fight for salary increase has been a battle cry of teachers for years. Now, another crusade is started. It was mentioned by the ACT that the condition of the teachers on the more remote areas of the country is a lot worse than that on the city based public school teachers because they do not receive any chalk allowance at all.
So where do you think these teachers on the far-flung areas are getting their chalk? It is
said that the chalk came from their own pockets or from contributions of the parents. Just imagine that.
The Department of Education is sympathetic on this matter. DepED Secretary, Bro. Armin Luistro said that the increase on chalk allowance would only be possible if the budget allocated for 2012 also be increased. Since, the budget hearing is still subject for approval, teachers have still little hope for the increase. Let’s cross our fingers to that.
It is a fact that teachers are the molders of tomorrow’s leaders but with this poor plight teachers are experiencing now, what do you expect would happen next? Do you think that they can perform their assigned task having many thought of their credit deadlines? To our government officials, we beg you, hear the cry of our teachers.