Teachers distribute modules that will be used in distance learning at Francisco Elementary School in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. The Department of Education shifted to distance learning for the upcoming start of classes on Monday (October 5) to comply with President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive for schools to delay face-to-face classes until COVID-19 vaccine becomes available. Inq photo/ Jam Sta Rosa
MANILA, Philippines—An opposition lawmaker commended the Senate’s second reading approval of a bill that will increase the allowance given to teachers for the purchase of school supplies starting next year.
ACT Teachers Representative France Castro lauded the Senate for its approval in the second reading of the bill that will increase the teachers’ supplies allowance to P5,000 from P3,500.
“How infuriating it is that teachers have to spend out of their own purses for the expenses for teaching such as for modules–bond paper, ink, printer, and even the internet costs,” said Castro Wednesday in a statement.
“Increasing the teaching supplies allowance will go a long way to ensure that public school teachers will not be driven into poverty just because of different learning modalities under the so-called ‘new normal.’”
The teaching supplies allowance is casually known as “chalk allowance” and it was ACT Teachers President Antonio Tinio that spearheaded its creation during budget deliberations.
The annual chalk allowance gradually increased from P700 to P1,000 in 2012, to P1,500 in 2016, P2,500 in 2017, and P3,500 in 2018.
Castro also has similar legislation in House Bill 222, which is an act that seeks to provide an allowance for public school teachers to purchase supplies, but it has been pending in the House of Representatives since 2015.
“We call the House leadership to rush the passage of several bills including our own HB 222 which was filed as early as 2015,” said Castro, who’s also the House Assistant Minority Leader.
Castro said that her bill has been gathering dust and that the Congress’ work has been at snail’s pace.
“Let this be a reminder: The Duterte administration must heed to the demands of its people and that this proposed amendment increasing the chalk allowance will be included in the next year’s national budget,” said Castro.
“Now that the 2021 budget deliberations have resumed, we will remain critical and vigilant so that this administration will ensure that the vital programs for health, education, and aid are adequately funded.”