ACT TEACHERS Party-list Representative France Castro on Tuesday called for the swift passage of a measure that will provide a P1,500 monthly internet allowance for all public school teachers.

The teacher-lawmaker said that the government should give adequate support and equip teachrs with devices and internet connection that will help them become 21st century teachers.

“The two years of blended distance learning showed us the importance of having a stable internet connection for both our teachers and students for better learning conditions amid a pandemic. With the reopening of schools for face-to-face classes, teachers nationwide continue to struggle with various tasks requiring the use of information and communications technology with a bulk of online tasks and a substantial need for digital access,” Castro said.

“The current proposed budget under the NEP for 2023 still contained the measly P5000 annual cash allowance for teachers that consist of P3,500 teaching supplies allowance, P500 for the annual medical check-up of teachers, and a minute P1000 for internet or communications,” she added.

The lawmaker stressed that the P1,000 annual communications or internet allowance is far from what teachers need.

“With the worsening learning crisis, teachers are trying to recover the lost two years of failed blended distance learning. Providing our teachers with a monthly allowance for internet connection and communications would give them more resources and access to materials they can use to teach the youth. It is better that we give our teachers enough resources and support in bridging the two-year gap of the blended learning crisis than neglecting and abandoning their needs and the needs of our youth,” Castro said.

“Along with House Bill 4383 increasing the allowances of teachers for their teaching supplies to P10,000, we urge the urgent passage of House Bill 560 to give adequate support for our teachers in their delivery of quality and accessible education to our youth,” the lawmaker added.