As the 2025–2026 school year begins on Monday, June 16, the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) reiterated its call for the government to address long-standing issues in the education sector, including infrastructure problems and classroom shortages.
In an interview with DZRH Maynila Ito Ang Pilipinas on Sunday, Teachers’ Dignity Coalition spokesperson Jim Lester Beleno voiced concern over the persistent challenges awaiting teachers and students as classes resume—particularly the recurring infrastructure problems, which were once again highlighted during the Department of Education’s (DepEd) annual Brigada Eskwela program.
“Marami pa ring challenges, pagsubok at ‘yun nga po palaging hiling namin na sana i-prioritize yung education sector ng ating pamahalaan,” said Beleno.
“Dapat itong Brigada Eskwela maging eye-opener din sa ating mga government official na mayroon talagang problema pagdating sa imprastraktura,” he added.
On the hiring of 16,000 new public school teachers for the upcoming school year, Beleno welcomed the move but cautioned that the government must adopt a more holistic approach.
He further emphasized that without additional classrooms and learning materials, the move could result in overcrowded spaces and a compromised learning environment.
“Talagang nangangailangan po tayo [ng mga teachers] kasi kung kulang po ang teachers lalaki ang class size ng isang section. Pero kapag ang ang anticipated naman natin na kapag naghire tayo ng marami kukulangin ang classroom kaya yung sabi natin dapat semi-approach yung mga solution natin,” he explained.
Beleno also expressed concern about the recurring politicization of curriculum changes whenever there is a change in leadership. He noted that such shifts undermine long-term education reform and confuse both educators and learners.
“Hiling din namin, sana huwag din ma-politicize ‘yung ating educational sector kasi sa mga nagdaang kasaysayan natin kapag iba ‘yung secretary, ‘yung pangulo naaapektuhan, nagbabago ang mga curriculum,” Beleno stressed.
Beleno also urged the Department of Education and local government officials to prioritize infrastructure improvements particularly with the onset of the rainy season to ensure that learning continues safely and without interruption.
“Dapat ito ang pansinin ng mga officials ng Deped katuwang ung opisyal ng gobyerno natin na kailangan i-upgrade i-upscale yung mga classroom, yung ating mga drainage, ventilation sa mga classroom kasi hindi pwedeng maantala yung pag-aaral dahil lamang sa mga ganito,” he said.
In cases where severe weather makes it unsafe for students to attend in person, Beleno stressed the importance of having alternative learning modalities—such as modular and online learning, ready and accessible, with complete learning materials prepared in advance.
Amid reports of a de facto “no-fail” policy, Beleno clarified the teachers’ position on inclusive education.
“Ang sinasabi kasi namin inclusive education dapat “no student is left behind” hindi ibig sabihin ipapasa na lahat ang mga estudyante kasi doon tayo nadadali. ‘Yung research ng FLEMMS na maraming ang ‘functionally illiterate’ yun din ang isang dahilan kasi inapasa ang hindi naman karapat-dapat,” he said.
Citing the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS), conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) warned of a deepening education crisis, as the study revealed that more than 18 million junior high school graduates in the country are ‘functionally illiterate,’ struggling with basic comprehension and understanding.
“Hindi dapat tinotolerate ito, dahil kung kalidad na edukasyon ang hangarin natin dapat talaga dumaan naman sa proseso. Kung hindi nakapasa magbalik-aral, magsummer class hanggang matuto ang bata,” he stated.
The spokesperson emphasized that addressing the education crisis requires collective responsibility.
Beleno called on parents, siblings, and community members to actively support students’ learning, noting that education should not be the sole responsibility of teachers.
“Ang edukasyon ay hindi lang sa teacher, kailangan yung involvement ng community,“ he emphasized.
With the new school year set to begin on Monday, Beleno expressed optimism while urging the government to maintain its commitment to improving the education sector.
“Sana patuloy ang development, patuloy ang tulong ng gobyerno sa sektor ng edukasyon dahil ito namna ay isang pag-asa para sa ating bayan,” he concluded.
