Senator Sonny Angara stressed the need to develop new teaching strategies to improve the quality of education in the country.
Angara, a known advocate of educational reform, pointed out that while many laws have been passed to increase access to education, the government should now focus on improving the quality of education in the country.
“Progressive teaching is key in improving the quality of education in the country. I think the traditions have to change. Some of our teachers are very bookish and non-critical in their approach—very dogmatic. Teaching should really encourage our kids to love learning and develop critical thinking,” he said.
The lawmaker has also pushed for higher salaries for public school teachers in order to attract highly competent employees in public schools.
Angara’s Senate Bill 135 aims to upgrade the salary grade level of teachers from SG 11 to 19, nearly doubling their current monthly base pay from P19,077 to P36,407.
“I have been pushing for laws that ensure greater access to education and scholarships especially for poor and deserving students,” the senator said.
“These laws will provide them with opportunities to succeed in life as we value education as a tool to fight poverty,” added Angara, who was also the author of the Free Kindergarten Law and the Unified Student Financial System Act.