TEACHERS and school heads will be given higher Special Hardship Allowance under the new guidelines issued by the Department of Education and Department of Budget and Management.

Joint Circular No. 1 s., 2021 raised the SHA from 15 percent to 25 percent of a teacher’s basic salary. It also made the process of claiming the allowance easier since teachers will no longer be required to submit documents.

Under the new guidelines, qualified teachers will only submit their DTR to avail of the allowance.

The Special Hardship Allowance is given monthly to teachers in elementary and secondary schools and school heads or administrators exposed to extreme difficulties and hazards, such as difficulty in commuting to the place of work.

SHA can also be availed by teachers in pure multigrade schools, mobile teachers, and non-formal education or Alternative Learning System coordinators.

“We continue to honor our personnel, especially those who are in remote areas by addressing their concerns and providing their necessities according to their hard work. We proposed to lessen their burden by not asking for too many requirements to claim this allowance,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.

“In these trying times, we salute the passion of our teachers who continuously deliver education to their learners, wherever they are. In this regard, as our Filipino educators commit to their duty, we are dedicated to prioritize their protection against any potential harm,” Briones added.