On the Postponement of Opening of Classes to mid-September, separate insurance system for teachers

On the Postponement of the Opening of Classes to mid-September, separate insurance system for teachers

One of the concerns presented by the Teachers Dignity Coalition (TDC), headed by Benjo A. Basas, TDC Chairman, during their meeting with Vice President Secretary Sara Z. Duterte on August 2, 2022, via Zoom is the extension of the school break to mid-September.

VP Sec Duterte said that it is not possible as of the moment to postpone the opening of classes because it was already approved by the president, and all the preparations are already focused on the date of August 22. However, the DepEd legal team will study the basis of the two-month school break/vacation issue being raised by the TDC.

The TDC also presented another issue to VP Sec. Duterte, i.e., to reform Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) or set up a separate insurance system for teachers.

 
Duterte said that the DepEd management team is now discussing the matter; two former GSIS people are in the Central Office right now. The Secretary said she also wants a separate insurance system for teachers, but the GSIS will resist the move. The DepEd instead will try to come up with something better; one of the reforms is the additional board member to represent the teachers.

Here are the issues presented by the TDC and responses from VP Sec. Duterte. This was first posted on the TDC Official Facebook Page.

1. Reconsider the extension of the school break to mid-September

Not possible as of the moment because it was already approved by the president, and all the preparations are already focused on the date of August 22. However, the DepEd legal team will study the basis of the two-month school break/vacation issue being raised by the TDC.

2. Presentation of the 13-Point Teachers’ Dignity Agenda:

a. Consideration of bills for a salary increase for teachers

There could be no salary increase right now as we are still awaiting the last tranche of SSL V slotted for next year. The Secretary reiterated the earlier DepEd statement that increases in salaries of public school teachers may severely affect the private education sector.

b. Provision of other non-wage benefits such as study leave, scholarship, health benefits, housing, etc.

The DepEd is now considering non-wage benefits for teachers, one of which is the health benefits, and the DepEd is currently studying the provision of HMOs for DepEd personnel.

c. Implementation of the welfare provisions of Magna Carta for Public School Teachers (RA 4670)

As the TDC mentioned as reference the findings of the Senate Committee on Basic Education led by Sen. Sherwin T Gatchalian on the implementation of the Magna Carta for Teachers, VPISD committed to study the said document.

d. Reduction/elimination of excessive and unnecessary clerical and administrative tasks

The DepEd is now identifying the non-teaching tasks that will be eliminated. The secretary says that teachers are overworked because of these administrative tasks, and the salaries are no longer commensurate.

e. Reform the GSIS or set up a separate insurance system for teachers.

The DepEd management team is now discussing the matter; in fact, two former GSIS people are in the Central Office right now. The Secretary said she also wants a separate insurance system for teachers, but the GSIS will resist the move. The DepEd instead will try to come up with something better; one of the reforms is the additional board member to represent the teachers.

f. Provision of the necessary funding for full face-to-face classes

The Secretary said that the department is currently working on it.

g. Review of the existing K-12 curriculum

The previous DepEd administration has already reviewed the Grade 1 to 10 curriculum, and the current leadership will conduct the review for the senior high school curriculum following the instructions from the President.

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h. Improvement of merit and promotion system in the DepEd

The Secretary is anticipating an improved merit and promotion system following the appointment of a new undersecretary for BHROD, Dr. Gloria Mercado, a former dean of the Development Academy of the Philippines.

"The TDC considered this a success because the teachers' grievances were conveyed directly to the Secretary, and she was able to respond immediately. But due to time constraints and the limitation of the platform used, there was no comprehensive or extensive discussion of each topic. Therefore, the TDC will send position papers on each concern to the secretary and the concerned offices in the DepEd for them to study. The Secretary also promised that she would send written communication in this regard."

"Although the meeting was short and held virtually, the TDC considers this meeting with Vice President and DepEd Secretary Duterte a productive one," said TDC.

The meeting was attended by VP Sec. Sara Duterte,36 TDC leaders from all over the country, and some OVP and OSEC personnel.

SOURCE: Teachers Dignity Coalition Facebook Page