The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines staged a protest action along Philcoa today to denounce Pres. Marcos Jr.’s indifference to teachers’ plight and chronic issues in the education sector amid World Teachers’ Day celebration which highlights the need to address the systemic challenges teachers face and calls for urgent action from the government.
“Teachers grapple with salaries that fall below the family living wage, inadequate funding for education, and a host of other systemic issues. We are being forced to reach into our own pockets to compensate for the state’s neglect, all while managing oversized and dilapidated classrooms. Our working conditions are inhumane, and the benefits are meager. We are left to fend for ourselves as the government squanders public funds,” lamented Raymond Basilio, ACT Secretary-General.
“Our resolve to fight for our rights has only grown stronger. We will continue to demand the government we deserve, one that prioritizes education and respects the rights of teachers and education workers,” added Basilio.
ACT called on the government to heed these demands and take decisive action to uplift the quality of education and improve teachers and education workers’ living and working conditions.
As the National Teachers’ Month culminated today, ACT committed to continue to mobilize and amplify its demands, and vowed to secure seats for progressive representatives in the 2025 elections—ensuring a genuine voice for teachers and the Filipino people.#
