Students and teachers in the private schools have been traditionally perceived to be better than their counterparts in public schools because of better facilities, resources, higher pay, better learning environment, and easier access to better quality education.

But surprisingly, many teachers are making the beeline to public schools for better benefits and opportunities.

At the last Catholic Education Association of the Philippines’s (CEAP) Forum held recently at the Manila Hotel, this issue was raised among the audience of educators and media.

BEING PRACTICAL

Darlene Interno and Alejo Filio Jr., teachers at the Congressional National High School, have opted to give up their positions in their respective private schools because of the higher pay, more benefits, and the job security that the present public school system offers.

Interno, who teachers Computer classes, says she was getting only P7,000 monthly and a 13th month pay at her former private school. Her current net pay is at P13,000 a month.

“It will also take me three to four years before I become permanent so I decided to transfer to a public school,” discloses Interno, a teacher for six years now.

Although the work load is heavier now, with 60-70 students per class compared with the 30 per class in the private school, Interno still feels that she is better compensated now.

Social Studies teacher Alejo Filio, a father of three, says that in these hard times, one has to be practical to be able to support a family. Teaching for 15 years now, Filio has joined other colleagues on their exodus to government schools.

STABILITY, SALARY AND BENEFITS

Fr. Nolan Que, director of St. Joseph School in Paco, Manila, admits that this is indeed happening in other private institutions, but not in his school though.

“The basic salary of a public school teacher is P18,000 compared to private schools, specifically those in parochial schools which is much lower. For instance, in our school, the starting salary (which is based on MAPSA/DepEd) ranges from P10,000 to P13,000. So that in itself, you’ll see a discrepancy of P5,000. Whether we like it or not, money counts a lot,” says Fr. Que.

According to figures released by DepEd Communications head Kenneth Tirado, the basic salary of a Teacher 1 (lowest paid teacher) in government elementary and secondary schools is at P14,198.00 per month. But if additional benefits are included, the salary amounts to P16,548.00.

As of July 2009, the basic monthly salary of public school teachers ranges from P14,198 (Teacher 1); P15,119 (Teacher 2); to P16,101 (Teacher 3); P22,214 (Master Teacher 1); and P23,703 (Master Teacher II).

On top of this, Tirado says, public school teachers also receive monetary benefits such as a special hardship allowance, hazard duty pay, amelioration assistance allowance, clothing and uniform allowance, productivity incentive benefit, cash allowance, year-end bonus and cash gift, loyalty cash award, anniversary bonus and centennial anniversary bonus.

Other benefits include life insurance; retirement insurance; compulsory retirement or optional retirement; permanent total, permanent partial or temporary total disability insurance; medical care benefits, health program and hazard insurance.

Government teachers may also avail of vacation leave, sick leave, maternity leave, study leave, indefinite leave, and a mandatory five-day vacation leave.

Moreover, Fr. Que says that teachers in Catholic private schools also have to stay in the school the whole day while in the public schools they have shifts.

In some schools, he adds, classes are only held thrice a week so this allows the teachers to find another job during their free days.

“So indeed, the possibility of earning more is open for them unlike in private schools, they have to be there the whole day for the entire week.”

ADMIRABLE COMMITMENT

But he adds that in a Catholic school such as theirs where teachers are trained in value formation, their teachers remain with them even though the salary is lower than those in the public schools.

“I really admire the commitment of our teachers. So far, we haven’t heard anyone complaining about the salary. They have realized that education is not just a matter of profession, it has also become a vocation and a venue to help others, especially young people. That’s what makes them dedicated.”

St. Joseph School principal Leonora Brazil says aside from the salary, their teachers also get several benefits such as a health card, emergency loan privileges with flexible payment terms, and scholarships for those who want to pursue further studies, from Fr. Que’s own funds.

Fr. Que however believes that government should also help private schools, give them more support so they can be able to offer more incentives, benefits to their faculty.

This writer has tried to get the opinion of CEAP president and the Manila Archdiocesan and Parochial Schools Association, Inc. (MAPSA), but they declined citing the unavailability of data about the problem.

The Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEHED), have no data likewise on the number of teachers who have transferred from private to public schools.

NO REGRETS

Interno and Filio say they have no regrets with their decision and are happy where they are now.

Interno still feels the fulfillment she gets out of teaching especially when her former students still remember her.

Filio, on the other hand, continues to give inspiration to his students by being their best motivator, supporter and mentor.

Both strongly believe that the government should seriously consider the plight of the teachers both in public and private schools by increasing their salaries, and providing them more benefits.

In this way, they too can provide a better future for their families, while helping create a bright future for their students.