THE TEACHERS’ Dignity Coalition said it will continue to push for education reforms and expects President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. to tackle his education plans in his first State of the Nation Address on Monday.

“Our teachers will continue to push for education reforms and will engage the Marcos administration. Through our collective strength and effort, we will strive for the realization of Marcos’s campaign promises as well as the resolving of issues that were overlooked by previous administrations,” Benjo Basas, national chairperson of the group, said.

The TDC listed 13 agendas which consist of proposals to address the welfare of teachers as general reforms seen to boost the education sector.

According to the TDC, Marcos already mentioned some of the issues during the campaign period.

“Pres. Marcos mentioned the teachers’ salary raise and other forms of support to our teachers and their families. Additionally, Marcos committed to ensuring that teachers would focus more on teaching and be unburden of administrative tasks. Recently, he ordered a review of the K-12 program. All of these three items are included in our proposal,” Basas added.

Aside from those, the TDC’s 13-point agenda also include better compensation package for teachers and educators both in public and private institutions, the implementation of the 1966 vintage Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, compensation for those affected by Covid19, free post-graduate education, provision of free laptops computers and internet services and the creation of a separate insurance system and hospital for teachers, among other benefits.

The group also has specific programs for the learners’ welfare such as the reduction of class size, provision of learning materials and providing facilities and sufficient funding for the safe return to normal school operations.

Aside from the welfare of teachers and learners, the TDC also batted for a change in curriculum and will pursue an education system that inculcates patriotism, promotes peace, respect for human rights and value for history and culture.

The TDC also hopes that Marcos will consider its request to move the opening of the next school year to mid-September in contrast to the DepEd’s order to resume classes on August 22.

“One clear and present danger facing teachers at the moment is over-exhaustion. And the August 22 opening of classes can only aggravate the situation as it snatches from teachers the much-needed rest after two extremely taxing school years under the pandemic,” Basas said.

The group has formalized its request for dialogue to Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio for this specific matter.

“The president still has a whole month to reconsider, and if he moves decisively enough, one million teachers would be spared from further burnout and be able to return to work with renewed strength and enthusiasm,” Basas said.

Duterte’s camp said it is open to such meeting.