A TEACHERS’ group has raised concerns over President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent statement that teachers’ performance ratings will be tied to their students’ academic performance.

Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) national chairperson Benjo Basas clarified that while including student achievement or test results in teacher evaluations is not inherently wrong, it is crucial to first ensure that learning conditions are conducive.

“Hindi naman masama kung isama ang test results sa batayan ng performance ng mga guro, pero unahin natin ang mga kailangang ayusin—classrooms, sapat na kagamitan, hindi siksikan ang mga bata, at hindi sila gutom sa pagpasok sa school. Pinakamahalaga, hindi kinukuba sa trabaho ang mga guro at dapat may sapat na sahod at benepisyo,” Basas said.

He stressed that blaming teachers for systemic failures would be unfair, especially when they are already the ones shouldering the burden of government shortcomings.

“Sa ngayon nga, mga guro na ang nag-aabono sa kakulangan ng gobyerno—sa Brigada, repair and maintenance ng classroom, sa reading materials ng mga bata, at kung minsan pati pa pang-recess,” he added.