Bill giving teachers chalk allowance approved

The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading a bill that would provide public school teachers with a regular so-called “chalk allowance” or funds for the purchase of necessary teaching tools.

House Bill No. 9682 or the proposed “Teaching Supplies Allowance Act,” which would mandate for each teacher to be given P7,500 for the school year 2024-2025, and P10,000 for school year 2025-2026 and onwards, was passed unanimously on Tuesday’s plenary session.

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The cash allowance, which will be exempted from income tax, will be given to all public basic education teachers. Funding for the teaching supplies will come from the Department of Education’s annual budget. —JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE