DepEd-Talisay belies ‘shortage’ of teachers

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City has enough school teachers to cope with the influx of close to 50,000 public elementary and secondary students this school year even without hiring additional teacher aide volunteers.

This was according to Talisay City Schools Division Superintendent Woodrow Denuyo during their meeting with Mayor Johnny De los Reyes and City Councilor Richard Francis “Choy” Aznar, the chairman of the committee on education, after teacher aide volunteers whose contracts were ended sought the assistance of the mayor.

Some 120 TAVs received their memorandum coming from Denuyo ending their services on May 31 citing that the city’s public schools already have enough teachers. 

During their meeting last Friday, Denuyo told the mayor that it is not true that the city does not have enough teachers. 

Based on the records, Denuyo said 114 national teachers item were already filled up. This means, according to Denuyo, it is no longer necessary for the city to hire additional TAVs for the opening of school classes. 

The city subsidies the wages of all TAVs at P8,500 per month for each of them. 

The program started about 10 years ago when the shortage of teachers was felt in the city following the increase in student population, prompting the city government to augment the number of teachers in its public schools.

Denuyo, however, said there are 60 TAVs were not approved on their application. There are 17 public elementary and 19 national high schools in the city. 

Mayor De los Reyes said he will be looking into other remedies for the TAVs who can no longer teach on the opening of the school year. 

Hassle-free opening

Meanwhile, De los Reyes has instructed all agencies concerned, specifically the local police, to undertake all necessary steps to ensure a hassle-free opening of classes today.

This, as the mayor wants the policemen and City of Talisay-Traffic Operation Development Authority to be deployed en masse to the different intersections, particularly the so-called traffic-prone areas to manage and supervise the traffic situation.

Prior to the opening of classes today, the mayor met the members of the city peace and order council to tackle issues related to the opening of classes in all levels starting today.

Traffic congestion and security are among the issues common during the opening of classes but De los Reyes said authorities have prepared the necessary measures to guarantee a smooth and orderly first day of classes.

Barangay tanods have also been mobilized to assist the police and military authorities in the maintenance of peace and order in the streets as well as school zones.

This year’s academic calendar will have 201 school days, 180 of which are non-negotiable teacher-student contact time based on DepEd Order No. 18, Series of 2014.

The School Year 2014-2015 shall end on March 27, 2015, the order said.

Also, the summer classes will begin on April 13, 2015 and end on May 23, 2015.

DepEd maintains the June-March academic calendar for School Year 2014-2015 despite the shift in school opening of some universities. (FREEMAN)