Capitol to help DepEd address shortage of teachers

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Capitol yesterday assured to help the Department of Education address the problem on the lack of school teachers in the province.

“We will do everything we can ma-fill ang gaps, mapun-an ang teachers. Apparently, there is (lack of teachers) g’yud. There are certain elementary schools and high schools nga one teacher teaching two classes,” said Davide in a press conference.

Davide said the matter was among those tackled in a brief meeting with DepEd’s Cebu schools division superintendent Arden Monisit, who visited the governor yesterday morning.

The governor said that Monisit, however, did not supply him with figures and areas that reportedly face shortage of teaching staffs. Nevertheless, he has reportedly told the DepEd official to give him feedback so that the province can extend its help.

“We need to determine pila ka teachers (needed to address the shortage). If there is really a lack of teacher unya mo-fund ta, we are prepared to do that,” said the governor.

Davide said the Provincial School Board is currently funding the salaries of two teachers and that he may suggest to fund more if it does not violate the recent DepEd’s memorandum circular, which dictates that the salaries of all teachers must be paid by the national government.

Meanwhile, Davide said the Capitol will donate to the said government agency a portion of its property in Sudlon, Barangay Lahug, for its building expansion.

Through a usufruct agreement, DepEd has already used the former Provincial Health Office building and now wants to develop the property, but Davide has said they could only do so if the province has donated it including the lot. —/NSA (FREEMAN)