đź“·: Alliance of Concerned Teachers – Philippines | FB
Thousands of public school teachers  across the country will stage a nationwide sit-down strike on November 28, suspending regular classes to hold discussions with students on accountability, justice, and systemic reforms in the education sector and government, according to Alliance of Concerned Teachers in a statement.
ACT regional formations and school chapters are also set to carry out alternative protest actions as part of what the group described as a “nationally coordinated day of resistance.”
The teachers’ alliance underscored that the recent string of disasters has exposed what it called the government’s “gross neglect” and “deep corruption,” which have resulted in massive loss of lives, livelihoods, and public resources.
The group said teachers and the education sector have long been victims of systemic plunder, pointing out that while officials and contractors “swim in billions,” schools remain submerged in floods and classrooms continue to suffer from severe shortages.
ACT criticized the administration for failing to deliver substantial salary increases and an adequate education budget, even as billions of pesos are allegedly wasted on botched or anomalous projects.
“There is no more fitting moment for teachers and the education sector to stand up than now. Nearly three years into the Marcos-Duterte administration, it has become clear that the public’s welfare is not their priority. Both are driven by greed for power and public funds. Both must be held to account and removed, along with all those complicit in systematic and widespread corruption,” ACT Chairperson Ruby Bernardo declared.
Bernardo emphasized that the strike is not a pause from work but a form of resistance:
“On November 28, thousands of us will sit—not to rest, but to resist. As educators, it is our fundamental duty to enlighten the youth and defend the future of education and the nation. We will hold classroom discussions to expose the rotten system and educate students about accountability, justice, and genuine change.”
ACT said the strike and other protest actions are part of a broader national effort to end what it described as the “systematic plunder of public funds.”
Organizations and unions of government employees have also expressed solidarity with the teachers, joining the collective call to end corruption and redirect public funds toward basic social services. (ZIA LUNA)
