Capitol to Help Address Shortage of Teachers

The Cebu Provincial Capitol has assured they will help the Department of Education (DepEd) in addressing the the lack of school teachers in the province.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said Friday that they will find ways to add more teachers in the province.

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

Davide said DepEd’s Cebu Schools Division Superintendent Arden Monisit visited the his office on Friday morning and discussed this problem.

Davide said that in a brief meeting with Monisit, the division superintendent failed to give him figures, including the areas where there are less teaching staffs.

But Davide said he told the DepEd official to provide him feedback so that the province can extend help.

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

The Provincial School Board is currently funding the salaries of two teachers and may suggest to release more funds if it does not violate the recent DepEd’s memorandum circular, Davide said.

DepEd memorandum circular 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, so DepEd can use it for its expansion plan.

Through a usufruct agreement, DepEd is currently using the former Provincial Health Office building and wants to develop the said property. However, Davide said DepEd could only do so if the province has donated the said property.

Usurfruct is a property right that allows one to use the property of another without altering it.