5 Reasons Why Filipino Teachers are OVERWORKED YET UNDERPAID

Teachers in the Philippines are widely regarded as overworked due to a combination of factors that place significant demands on their time and energy. One of the primary reasons is the high student-to-teacher ratio, which often results in large class sizes. Managing these large groups requires extensive preparation, individual student attention, and considerable effort to maintain classroom discipline and foster a conducive learning environment. This scenario is further compounded by the diverse learning needs of students, requiring teachers to employ varying instructional strategies to ensure that all students receive a quality education.

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Here are the other common reasons why Filipino teachers are considered overworked yet underpaid.

1. Heavy Workload and Other Tasks: Teachers in the Philippines often juggle a multitude of responsibilities beyond their teaching duties. They are tasked with preparing lesson plans, grading assignments, and conducting assessments, but also handle other tasks such as maintaining student records, organizing school events, and even performing custodial duties. This extensive workload, coupled with large class sizes, significantly increases their working hours, often extending beyond the regular school day. Despite this, their compensation does not proportionally reflect the breadth and depth of their responsibilities. However, the Department of Education (DepEd) officially mandated that administrative duties be promptly removed from teachers' workloads.

2. Limited Resources and Support: Many schools in the Philippines, especially in rural areas, suffer from a lack of resources including books, teaching materials, and proper facilities. Teachers often have to improvise and spend their own money to provide necessary supplies for their classrooms. The limited support from the educational system places an additional financial burden on teachers, yet their salaries remain insufficient to cover these out-of-pocket expenses, let alone provide a comfortable living.

3. Professional Development Requirements: To maintain and improve the quality of education, teachers are required to participate in continuous professional development through workshops, seminars, and further studies. These activities are often conducted during weekends or holidays, taking up personal time without additional compensation. Although these efforts are crucial for professional growth and enhancing educational standards, they contribute to the overwork experienced by teachers without corresponding financial rewards.

4. Emotional and Psychological Stress: Teachers play a vital role in shaping the minds and futures of their students, which involves not only academic instruction but also emotional and psychological support. They often act as counselors, mediators, and mentors, addressing various student issues such as bullying, family problems, and mental health concerns. This emotional labor is demanding and taxing, yet it is not adequately recognized or compensated in their salaries, leading to feelings of being undervalued and underappreciated.

5. Economic Disparities and Inflation: The salaries of teachers in the Philippines have not kept pace with the rising cost of living and inflation. Many teachers find it challenging to meet their basic needs, such as housing, healthcare, and education for their own children, on their current wages. The economic disparities between the compensation of teachers and other professions exacerbate the sense of being underpaid, despite the critical and impactful nature of their work in society. This financial strain further highlights the disparity between their extensive contributions and the rewards they receive.

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