ACT TEACHERS Partylist Rep. France Castro on Thursday asked the Department of Education when it will compensate the excess work teachers rendered during the 13-month long pandemic school year.

The lawmaker said DepEd cannot deny that teachers rendered excess work last school year and they should be adequately compensated for the excess work they served.

“Four months have passed since the 13-month long pandemic school year ended. The Department of Education has yet to recognize and adequately compensate our teachers for the excess work they rendered last school year,” Castro said.

Teachers had to report to work starting June 1, 2021 to prepare their schools, themselves and their students for the pandemic school year.

“Teachers did more than what was asked from them to ensure that the government can still provide access to education despite the pandemic situation. It is very clear that they rendered excess work in the past 13-month long pandemic school year, DepEd should give them adequate compensation for services they rendered,” Castro said.

She denounced DedEd for turning a blind eye on the welfare of teachers.

“Kulang na nga ang suweldo, kulang din sa suporta para sa continuing education sa blended distance learning pero sobra-sobra ang trabaho na pinapagawa sa kanila. Makatarungan ang panawagan ng mga guro na mabayaran ang sobrang trabaho na ginugol nila noong nakaraang school year, dapat lamang itong bigyang halaga ng DepEd at ng Duterte administration,” Castro stressed.