Teachers’ group presses for grassroots reforms in wake of Angara’s reappointment
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara at the San Nicolas Elementary School in Ilocos Nortem for a school visit. Photo by DepEd.
A teachers’ group has expressed hope that the Department of Education (DepEd) will intensify its focus on pressing grassroots issues in schools while maintaining open communication with teachers and other stakeholders following the reappointment of Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara as Education secretary.
The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC), in a statement, stressed that Angara must stay connected with the realities on the ground by listening to the voices of those working directly in schools, rather than “relying solely on polished reports” that may overlook the everyday struggles faced by educators.
“At sana ay mas tutukan ang mga problema sa batayang antas, ‘yong kalagayan ng mga klasrum at paaralan, kung talagang nais niyang tumugon sa krisis ng edukasyon. Kailangang maramdaman siya sa ibaba at maramdaman niya rin ang ibaba—ang mga taong aktuwal na nagtatrabaho sa field at hindi lamang aasa sa magagandang ulat na nakakarating sa kanya [And we hope that more attention will be given to problems at the grassroots level, such as the condition of classrooms and schools, if he truly wants to respond to the education crisis. He needs to be present at the grassroots and truly understand it—to connect with the people actually working in the field, and not just rely on polished reports that reach him],” TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas said.
The group outlined several unresolved issues in the education sector, including teachers’ working hours, curriculum revisions, the appointment of school principals, the promotion system, performance rating policies, excessive administrative tasks, resource shortages and the implementation of benefits under the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, particularly the provision of medical allowances.
The TDC said that they have already submitted formal requests regarding these long-standing issues and concerns in the country’s education sector. With Secretary Angara now confirmed to remain in office, they are hopeful that a dialogue with teachers will finally take place before the start of the new school year.
Following his reappointment, Angara said he was “deeply honored” by the trust of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
“His directive to us is clear: sama-sama nating itaas ang kalidad ng edukasyon [together, let us raise the quality of education],” Angara said.
As of June 3, twenty other Cabinet secretaries and agency heads have been retained by the president following his call for courtesy resignations two weeks ago.
