5,000 new teachers needed in Eastern Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines—At least 5,300 additional teachers are needed in public schools in Eastern Visayas when classes open next month, but funds are enough for only 587, according to education officials in the region.

Belen Hipe, regional education chief for policy and planning, said the central office of the Department of Education allotted only 587 positions for new teachers—111 for elementary public schools and 476 for public high schools.

The regional DepEd said it needs at least 5,381 new teachers for elementary and high school. Public high schools are in most need of new teachers.

The region currently has 21,987 elementary public school teachers and 7,348 public high school teachers.

Hipe said some local government units helped bridge the gap by hiring new teachers and volunteers helped, too.

“There are teacher volunteers who are doing their work, attending their classes without any remuneration at all, not even a centavo,” Hipe said.