Work at Home Mama

Every elections, the teachers of government schools  all have to spend long working hours in precincts, bear the complaints of voters, ballot watchers and candidates alike, some risk their lives to protect the ballot boxes – all for a measly salary which is oftentimes late.

Not long after the May 2010 elections, these hard working teachers were once again braving the streets of the Philippines, under the scorching heat of the sun and 37.5 degree celsius temperature. This time they’re working for the National Statistics Office, counting the Philippines in figures.

I remember last week, we were having breakfast when two women knocked on our door. They were carrying folders with IDs I did not recognize. “Census po ma’am” they said. I did not let them in, of course! and I was even apprehensive in entertaining them at first. Why should I not be when budol-budol is very rampant in Cavite? The fact that my husband was inside the house and was listening to us made me decide to answer their questions.

It was a 3-minute interview if I’m not mistaken and yes, it was done UNDER THE HEAT OF THE SUN.

I didn’t have any idea that they were teachers until I heard the news from the television last night.

Yes, they are indeed teachers.

The National Statistics Office expects them to meet their quota of 340 households from May 17 to June 11, 2010. Failure to do so could mean that they cannot receive the  full payment of P11,500.

HOW HARSH considering all the inconveniences each teacher has to go through each workday.

1. Heatstroke – need I say more? With this unbearable heat, will NSO provide extra allowance for their water consumption during working hours? Is NSO caring enough to provide iced towels for these teachers?
2. Security Conscious Homeowners – why would I talk to strangers anyway? Did NSO or DepEd disseminate information about these surveys? They should have done it on national television weeks before the surveys were conducted to INFORM the people of their plans.  They should have coordinated with the local authorities BEFORE the survey period. Busy with the elections? Using the national elections is one very lame excuse! And because people were not informed, so were their dogs.
3. Dogs – There were reports about teachers bitten by dogs. The government will sure shoulder the expenses, hello PhilHealth! But will they shoulder the expenses should these teachers suffer from post traumatic stress disorder after the dog bite? Of course not.
4. Poor compensation – C’mon. Why not pay them the full P11,500 even if they not meet the 340 quota? Don’t these teachers deserve more? and why can’t these government offices hire contract-based employees to do this job and let the teachers rest so they’re ready for the incoming opening of classes? I’m still making sense here, right? If others can hire contract-based employees, why can’t our government?

These teachers are overworked, unappreciated and underpaid.

We are complaining of the poor educational system in the Philippines, yet we don’t know what our teachers has to go through just to make both ends meet. The Alliance of Concerned Teachers estimates that a teacher only receives a P9,939 gross monthly salary – no wonder that we always see some teachers selling knick-knacks during school hours.

It’s just sad that teachers has to go through all these. I just hope that the change of government officials will shed light on our teachers’ dark hole.

And I vehemently pray that the Filipino teachers are given the credit and compensation due to them before it’s too late.

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