Earlier, Sen. Bam Aquino warned against rushing the implementation of the policy to avoid further disruption in the education sector.
Malacañang backed calls for extensive consultations with stakeholders
on the Department of Education (DepEd)’s proposal to shift to a
trimester system starting next school year.
DepEd is considering
implementing the trimester system for School Year 2026–2027 as part of
what it described as a “holistic approach” to improve learning
continuity and reduce teachers’ administrative workload.
“This is
just a proposal, and they are presenting the possible advantages of
having a trimester system, which is being promoted by DepEd. It is still
at the proposal stage. So it would be better to conduct a more
immediate study on whether it should be implemented,” Presidential
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing on
Monday, Feb. 16.
Castro said the Palace supports calls for broad public consultations on the proposal.
“It
would be better if this is discussed among all stakeholders and
interested parties so that the best program for our youth can be
achieved,” she said.
Earlier, Sen. Bam Aquino warned against
rushing the implementation of the policy to avoid further disruption in
the education sector.
“Although we recognize the need for
widespread reform, let’s make sure we go through proper consultation and
not do this hastily,” Aquino, chairperson of the Senate committee on
basic education, said.
Better benefits
Aside
from the trimester system, the DepEd is also implementing policy
changes aimed at providing higher allowances, reduced paperwork and
clearer career progression for public school teachers.
In a
statement on Monday, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the
department increased teachers’ annual medical allowance from P500 to
P7,000, while their teaching allowance was raised from P3,500 to P10,000
to help cover health needs and classroom expenses.
DepEd also
introduced the Expanded Career Progression system, which allows teachers
to earn promotions and salary increases based on merit without leaving
the classroom.
As of Monday, 16,423 teachers have been promoted,
while more than 40,000 others are awaiting approval from the Department
of Budget and Management.
In the past, teachers often had to move
to administrative positions to receive higher pay. Under the new system,
they can advance professionally while continuing to teach.
“The
instruction of President Marcos is clear: the welfare of teachers is our
primary concern. We are making sure they have sufficient benefits, a
clear career path and better working conditions,” Angara said.
The department also reduced teachers’ paperwork by more than half, cutting required school forms and reports from 174 to 75.
To
further ease their workload, DepEd created new administrative and
support positions to handle non-teaching tasks such as documentation and
coordination.
Teachers will also receive clearer compensation for
extra work. Previously, overload and overtime teaching had no clear
funding or payment system.
Under the new policies, teachers may
now receive overload and overtime pay. They are also entitled to 30
vacation service credits per year, double the previous limit of 15 days.
Teachers assigned to difficult or remote areas will receive a fixed hardship allowance equivalent to 25 percent of their salary.
Before, the allowance only ranged from 15 percent to 25 percent and lacked clear and consistent guidelines.
Angara is also pushing to increase the Teacher Salary Subsidy from P18,000 to P24,000 for private school teachers. – With Evelyn Macairan