Pulse Asia survey says 50% of Filipinos think public school teachers are underpaid

FILE PHOTO: A public school teacher during class. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — A Pulse Asia survey commissioned by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has revealed that half of Filipinos believe public school teachers are not paid enough for the job they do.

The poll among 1,200 respondents from June 24-27 indicates that 50 percent think public school teachers are underpaid while 37 percent say they have enough salary. It also shows that 3 percent of the respondents think public school teachers are overpaid while 10 percent are uncertain of their view.

The survey likewise says that 57 percent of Filipinos belonging to Classes A, B, and C believe public school teachers are underpaid while 53 percent from Class E and 48 percent from Class D think they are paid too little.

Because of this, Gatchalian, who is poised to retain his chairmanship of the Senate committee on basic education, arts, and culture, called for an increase in the pay of public school teachers.

“Panahon na upang itaas natin ang sweldo ng ating mga guro, lalo na’t sila ay napakahalagang sangkap sa pagkakatuto ng ating mga kabataan,” he said in a statement.

(It is time to raise the salary of our teachers, especially since they play an important role in children’s learning.)

“Kung maitataas natin ang kanilang mga sahod, maitataas din natin ang kanilang morale at mahihikayat din natin ang mas maraming mga kabataan na kumuha ng kurso sa pagtuturo,” he added.

(If we increase their income, we can also increase their morale and encourage more children to take a teaching course.)

Pulse Asia Survey

Gatchalian lamented that public school teachers are lagging among their counterparts in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations when it comes to entry-level pay.

He filed Senate Bill No. 149 or the proposed Teacher Salary Increase Act, in a bid to increase the Salary Grades (SG) of teachers:

• Teacher I – from SG 11 (P25,439) to SG 13 (P29,798)
• Teacher II – from SG 12 (P27,608) to SG 14 (P32,321)
• Teacher III – from SG 13 (P29,798) to SG 15 (P35,097)

The senator said his proposed increase in the pay of public school teachers is consistent with Republic Act No. 4670 or the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers.

He is eyeing to amend the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers to make it more relevant to current challenges.

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