Luistro backs prompt release of teachers wage adjustment

Education Secretary Armin Luistro said Friday he would push for the prompt release of the adjusted teachers’ salaries as part of the department’s plan to upgrade the quality of education in public schools.

Luistro added that he would present to President Benigno Aquino 3rd a set of urgent concerns that priorities the salary adjustment of teachers.

“To deliver quality education, we should always prioritize the professional advancement and personal welfare of our hardworking teachers,” he added.

Earlier, an association of public school teachers nationwide pressed the Education department for the immediate implementation of the salary adjustment of teachers following the approval of the Salary Standardization Law 3 by former President Gloria Arroyo in June 2009.

Despite an announcement by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) that the release would be delayed, Luistro said the Education department would ask for prompt payment.

“These salary increases are already embodied in the law. We’ll be happy to make representations with DBM on behalf of our teachers,” he said.
Luistro that upon the implementation of the adjustments, teachers could expect a starting pay of more than P20,000, an increase from P16,000, while the salary of master teachers would go up from P26,000 to P33,000.

The secretary added that the Education department would continue to campaign for incentives of teachers who display outstanding performance as educators. –Maria Nikka U. Garriga, Manila Times