By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Incoming Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Thursday (04 July 2024) expressed confidence that there will certainly be a salary increase for teachers.
Angara, a sitting senator, will take over as Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary when VP Duterte’s resignation takes effect on July 19.
“I am confident in the next few years — hindi ko lang alam kung this year or next year — magkakaroon ‘yan ng pagtaas ng sweldo ng ating teachers,” Angara said in an interview on TeleRadyo Serbisyo.
At the same time, he is eyeing to talk to government financial institutions to give teachers preferential treatment by granting them lower interest for their loans.
“Tinitingnan natin yung benepisyo nila… For example, yung mga nakukuha nilang loan, minsan natatali sila d’yan nang matagal at mataas ang interes. Pag-aralan natin, tapos kausapin natin yung ibang financial institutions ng gobyerno…na nagpapautang nang mura sa mga negosyante. Dapat may access din sila dito o preferential treatment,” Angara noted.
He added that he would also prioritize reducing the non-teaching tasks of educators and boosting their access to financial institutions.
Angara said he was also looking into the specifics of the Matatag curriculum introduced by his predecessor Vice President Sara Duterte which aimed to streamline learning competencies.
“Dapat back to basics lang ho tayo,” he quipped.
“Dapat huwag tayong pabigla-bigla; i-maintain natin yung ating direksyon na simplify ang curriculum,” the incoming DepEd chief added.
(el Amigo/mnm)
