ILOILO City – From January 1 to September 11 of this year, 235 public school teachers from Western Visayas have resigned to pursue opportunities that promise a more comfortable life for their families and for their personal growth.
According to the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 6, 184 of these teachers have chosen to move abroad, with many applying for the Exchange Visitor Program in the United States, while 51 others transferred to other government agencies.
The J-1 visa classification caters to individuals participating in programs that involve teaching, studying, conducting research, consulting, demonstrating special skills, or receiving training, including roles such as professors, research assistants, trainees, and teachers in the US.
Hernani Escullar Jr., the regional information officer for DepEd-6, said while these departures are significant, they cannot hold back teachers seeking better opportunities.
“Teachers are looking after the welfare of their families, too. We understand these decisions are for their personal and family’s improvement,” Escullar told Panay News.
But despite these resignations, Escullar reassured that the continuity of basic education would not be affected as the hiring process for new teachers commences immediately after a resignation becomes effective.
“It’s business as usual at DepEd. We start the hiring process right away to ensure our children’s education is not disrupted,” he added.
Escullar does not view the resignations as alarming since DepEd is prepared to fill all vacancies promptly, he clarified.
From January to September, here’s how the resignations break down by Schools Division Office (SDO): Aklan (1), Antique (27), Bacolod City (21), Bago City (2), Cadiz City (8), Capiz (15), Escalante City (7), Guimaras (3), Himamaylan (1), Iloilo (55), Iloilo City (6), La Carlota City (6), Negros Occidental (44), Passi City (5), Roxas City (11), Sagay City (11), San Carlos City (1), Silay City (3), Sipalay City (2), and Victorias City (6).
Moreover, 1,833 teachers have retired or transferred to other government agencies in the region this year. The breakdown includes: Aklan (109), Antique (163), Bacolod City (95), Bago City (49), Cadiz City (37), Capiz (135), Escalante City (30), Guimaras (40), Himamaylan City (33), lloilo (494), Iloilo City (58), Kabankalan City (39), La Carlos City (30), Negros Occidental (317), Passi City (15), Regional Office 6 (four), Roxas City (28), Sagay City (27), San Carlos City (44), Silay City (41), Sipalay City (21), and Victorias City (24), contributing to a significant change in the educational workforce.
As of September 13, 2024, the region records 1,906,147 learners, with 1,728,274 in public schools, 176,210 in private institutions, and 1,663 in state and local universities and colleges.
The current teaching staff stands at 78,223, with 9,698 non-teaching personnel.
Salaries for teaching positions are structured, designed to compensate educational roles variably:
* Teacher 1 – Salary Grade 11 – P27,000
* Teacher 2 – Salary Grade 12 – P29,165
* Teacher 3 – Salary Grade 13 – P31,320
* Special Education Teacher 1 – Salary Grade 14 – P33,843
* Special Education Teacher 2 – Salary Grade 15 – P36,619
* Special Education Teacher 3 – Salary Grade 16 – P39,672
* Special Education Teacher 4 – Salary Grade 17 – 43,030
* Special Science Teacher 1 – Salary Grade 13 – P31,320
* Special Science Teacher 2 – Salary Grade 16 – P39,672
* Special Science Teacher 3 – Salary Grade 19 – P51,357
* Special Science Teacher 4 – Salary Grade 22 – P71,511
* Special Science Teacher 5 – Salary Grade 24 – P90,078
* Head Teacher 1 – Salary Grade 14 – P33,843
* Head Teacher 2 – Salary Grade 15 – P36,619
* Head Teacher 3 – Salary Grade 16 – P39,672
* Head Teacher 4 – Salary Grade 17 – P43,030
* Head Teacher 5 – Salary Grade 18 – P46,725
* Head Teacher 6 – Salary Grade 19 – P51,357
* Master Teacher 1 – Salary Grade 18 – P46,725
*Master Teacher 2 – Salary Grade 19 – P51,357
* Assistant School Principal 1 – Salary Grade 18 – P46,725
* Assistant School Principal 2 – Salary Grade 19 – P51,357
* School Principal 1 – Salary Grade 19 – P51,357
* School Principal 2 – Salary Grade 20 – P57,347
* School Principal 3 – Salary Grade 21 – P63,997
* School Principal 4 – Salary Grade 22 – P71,511./PN
