📷: ACT-Private Schools | FB
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Private Schools has issued a strong condemnation of what it describes as the government’s continued neglect of private school educators, warning that worsening economic hardship is pushing many teachers to the brink.
Dr. Jonathan Geronimo, Secretary General of ACT Private Schools, criticized the administration’s response as “alarmingly insufficient and disconnected from the realities faced by educators.”
“In these trying times, everyone is affected, yet the President fails to act with urgency and continues to deny the severity of the crisis. Ironically, a Crisis Management Committee has been created without concrete plans to genuinely alleviate the burden of the people,” Geronimo said.
“Instead of implementing systemic solutions, the government continues to promote so-called ‘pagtitipid’ or personal austerity measures as the primary response to the crisis,” he added.
Teachers struggling with meager pay
ACT data reveals that private school teachers in Metro Manila earn an average of ₱17,500 per month, while those in provincial areas face even harsher conditions. In Lucena City, Quezon, some teachers reportedly receive as little as ₱10,000 monthly—far below the regional minimum wage estimate of ₱13,200.
“These are not isolated cases. Many private school teachers across the country are underpaid, overworked, and deprived of adequate benefits. Their stories reflect a systemic neglect that must be urgently addressed,” Geronimo added.
Call for government intervention
While acknowledging the financial struggles of small and medium-sized private institutions, ACT insists that teachers should not bear the brunt of these limitations. The group is calling for:
– A monitoring and support mechanism to address salary and labor issues in private schools.
– A standardized minimum wage for private school teachers aligned with the living wage.
– Direct government subsidies for institutions unable to comply, ensuring teachers receive support without delay.
Geronimo also criticized the insufficiency of the current Teacher Salary Subsidy (TSS), which provides only ₱2,000 per month, calling it “grossly inadequate.”
Tax relief and accountability
Beyond wages, ACT Private Schools is demanding the removal of burdensome taxes, including excise taxes, which further erode teachers’ limited income.
“Ang mga guro sa pribado ay literal na nagbubuwis (tax) habang nagbubuwis ng buhay sa pagtatrabaho para lang suklian ng malalang korapsyon, kaya’t dapat ay bawiin ang mga ninakaw sa kaban ng bayan at tanggalin ang VAT at Excise Tax,” Geronimo concluded.
Commitment to advocacy
ACT Private Schools reaffirmed its commitment to championing the rights, welfare, and dignity of private school teachers nationwide, vowing to continue pressing for systemic reforms and genuine government support. # (ZIA LUNA)
