A TEACHER'S GRIPE

Let’s admit it.

Teachers in the Philippines are overworked and dedicated yet abused and undercompensated. That is one of the myriads of reasons why we are abased by people who earn triple the remunerations we have. And that is also one of the reasons why we try to look for some other jobs to earn an extra income.

I speak for myself. I surf the net every now and then for possible sidelines. I apply for part time and/or freelance positions. But sad to say, up to this moment, I haven’t found one yet. Sometimes I am tempted to apply for a Customer Service Representative or a Call Center Agent position. Or as a call center trainer where the salary is much higher than what I am receiving now. Or even a teaching job abroad where English is taught as a second language. Jobs where the benefits and privileges are far motivating than what my current job has to offer. Where I can be assured of an economic upgrade in just a few span of time. (Is it what they call professional corruption? Well, pardon me for my ignorance.)

It’s very frustrating to know that a lot of professionals flock to jobs very far from their fields of specialization because there are no sufficient job positions for them. A lot of education degree holders, even those who finished their masters or doctorate studies, end up to the wrong job or, even worse, unemployment because there are no available positions to fit their educational attainment.

Imagine your teacher in elementary or your adviser in the school paper in high school or your critic teacher in college applying as a domestic helper or a factory worker or a utility staff abroad? Why do you think they have to do that? Is it because they are tired of teaching? Is it because they do not want to earn only pesos in the Philippines? Is it because they cannot see a bright future working in their own land? Or is it because they do not see any sign of support and appreciation from the government to their profession?

What satisfies a teacher aside from the recognition and respect from his students? What makes him love his work more aside from the fulfillment he feels upon seeing his students succeed from their chosen fields of study?

Let’s stop pretending, folks!