In light of recent demands for an immediate P10,000 a month increase for public school teachers, the Action for Economic Reforms , Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines , Foundation for Economic Freedom , Makati Business Club , Management Association of the Philippines , and Philippine Business for Education , in a joint statement, urged President Duterte and the teachers to “phase” the salary hike “over time” due to various considerations.
Another consideration for pay hike is the “heavy economic and social effects, such as inflation, low growth, and unemployment that go with spending beyond our means” which, according to the group, “hits the poorest hardest.” The groups noted that Department of Education Secretary Leonor Briones acknowledged that salaries of public school teachers have “overtaken” those of private schools and debunks characterizations that they are “the most pitiful and lowest paid profession” especially in rural areas as the salary of public school teachers is standard nationwide.
The groups noted “there is also lack of teachers and classrooms, resulting in big classes spread over the day in ‘shifts’ [and] these must be addressed to alleviate the burden of teachers and improve the quality of education.”