TEACHERS’ Dignity Coalition Chairperson Benjo Basas remains optimistic that the problems in the education sector will be addressed under the leadership of Education Secretary Sonny Angara.

When asked if he is positive that Angara will resolve the issues, he said that he is always “optimistic.”

“Ako lagi naman akong optimistic pero syempre ayaw din naman na umasa lang basta kasi kailangan nating makita ‘yung direksyon,” Basas told The POST.

“Well, hopefully, masolusyunan po ito sa panahon ni Secretary [Sonny] Angara at kami ay handa namang tumulong,” he added.

Among the issues raised by Basas were the need for supplies such as printers, laptops, and paper needed for teaching and printed materials.

“Kailangan namin ng printer, ng laptop, papel, it has been a problem ever since…alam niyo ang ginagawa ng mga teacher dyan, gumagastos kami ng sarili namin pera although ngayon meron namang tinatawag na teaching allowance [pero P5,000 lang per year],” TDC chair said.

Under Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act, public school teachers will receive P5,000 allowance for School Year 2024-2025. Meanwhile, for the next school year, it would be P10,000.

TDC and Angara recently met wherein the group discussed their concerns with the DepEd chief.