Solons bat for salary increase for teachers under K-12 program

MANILA, Philippines—Two representatives are pushing to increase the basic pay of public high school teachers to ensure there were enough tutors under the K to 12 program (K-12).

In a meeting with the Foundation for Upgrading the Standard of Education (FUSE), Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo and Sorsogon Rep. Evelina Escudero said they were pushing to increase the basic pay of public high school teachers from P18,000 to P28,000 and P30,000 or at par with college faculty members and nonteaching personnel.

Romulo said aligning teacher compensation for higher grade levels and college teachers would ensure that the Aquino administration’s lateral-hiring plan would not run out of takers.

Romulo, chair of the House committee on higher and technical education, said “Congress is working to enact remedial measures to help mitigate the effects of K-12.”

Escudero, widow of former legislator and FUSE president Salvador Escudero III, said lawmakers “are already looking at some ways to respond to these anticipated needs” of the K-12 program which adds two more years in high school.

Escudero noted that the government planned to hire 39,000 teachers and build 31,000 classrooms this year in preparation for the start of K-12.