Senator Proposes Teachers Home in School Act
MANILA — Senator Mark A. Villar has introduced the Teachers Home in School Act, a bill aimed at providing free on-site living accommodations for public school teachers. This initiative specifically targets educators facing long, expensive, or unsafe commutes to their workplaces.
According to local leaders, the four-word keyphrase “Teachers Home in School” is central to this measure, which seeks to enhance the welfare of teachers who serve both in bustling cities and remote communities. “Many of our teachers serve in the most remote barrios, far from their families, often renting modest rooms just to be closer to their students. This bill is about giving them a safe and decent place to call home while they carry out their noble mission,” Villar emphasized.
Addressing the Growing Demand for Educators
Officials reported a surge in student enrollment in public schools, with the Department of Education confirming 20.8 million learners for the 2024–2025 academic year. To meet this rising demand, the Department of Budget and Management has approved the creation of 16,000 new teaching positions for the 2025–2026 school year.
“These numbers show the immense demand for public school teachers, and with that demand comes a responsibility to ensure that our educators are supported in every way possible,” community members noted.
Collaborative Effort for Safe Teacher Housing
Under the proposed Teachers Home in School Act, the Department of Education and the Department of Public Works and Highways will collaborate to build safe, livable, and humane housing facilities within or near public school premises. Funding will primarily come from the DepEd budget, supplemented by the Special Education Fund, which is sourced from local government real property taxes.
Local leaders highlighted that this joint effort aims to provide teachers with not just shelter but a secure environment that supports their teaching responsibilities.
Improving Teachers’ Lives, Investing in the Nation
Senator Villar stressed that enhancing the living conditions of educators is more than a welfare issue—it is an investment in the country’s future. “Providing our dear public school teachers with decent and safe living conditions not only improves their lives, but also empowers them to cultivate learners who are critical thinkers, problem solvers, and visionaries who will lead us to a future of growth, opportunity, and prosperity,” he said.
Sources said the senator assured continuous government support for the education sector, underscoring that prioritizing teachers’ welfare ultimately benefits the entire nation. “When we prioritize their welfare, we invest in the future of our children and our nation,” Villar concluded.
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