The Department of Education (DepEd) is waiting for a study by the World Bank before commenting on the proposal to increase the entry-level salary of public school teachers.
DepEd Usece Michael Poa said on Thursday, February 15, that the agency expects to receive the preliminary results of the study in a few weeks.
"We cannot comment on the amount because we are still waiting for the study from the World Bank," Poa said in a message to reporters.
"They are just requesting for additional data from DepEd which we are now processing," the DepEd official added.
Poa revealed that DepEd requested the study from the World Bank even before lawmakers filed House Bill 9920 which will raise the minimum wage of public school teachers to Php 50,000.
"As a matter of fact, even before the bill was filed, DepEd had already engaged the World Bank to provide a study, not only on whether an increase should be made but also on the ideal percentage of increases for the coming years vis-a-vis inflation rates," Poa shared.
Poa assured that DepEd will always advocate for additional benefits for teachers, and will diligently participate in the Congressional deliberations for the said HB 9920.
