Teachers' groups renew call for P50,000 entry-level salary hike

Teacher advocacy groups intensified their push for improved compensation ahead of the global observance of World Teachers' Day, with separate demonstrations held in the capital to highlight persistent wage concerns in the education sector.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines and Teachers Dignity Coalition (TDC) both mobilized their members to demand implementation of the P50,000 monthly entry-level salary, a proposal that would align teachers with Salary Grade (SG) 15 compensation levels. The targeted salary increase has remained a central advocacy point for teacher organizations and education stakeholders since 2023.

The timing of the protests underscores growing frustration within the teaching profession over unresolved compensation issues. Entry-level teachers continue to earn below the proposed threshold, a gap that advocacy groups argue fails to reflect the critical importance of the teaching profession and creates difficulties in attracting qualified educators to the sector.

Both organizations have consistently framed the salary increase as essential for improving teacher welfare, reducing workforce attrition, and bolstering educational quality across the country. The renewed demonstrations indicate the issue remains unresolved despite years of appeals to government decision-makers.