YES OR NO : HOLIDAY PAY DURING SUMMER BREAK FOR TEACHERS?

Yes or No: Holiday pay during summer break for teachers?

In celebration of World Teachers’ Day, the episode of ‘CIA with BA’ that aired on Sunday, September 29, tackled questions about teachers' rights and benefits.

One concern raised was the entitlement to holiday pay during the summer break.

“‘Yung kapatid ko po kasi, bagong guro sa isang private school. Nagtataka siya kung bakit hindi siya nakatanggap ng regular holiday pay samantalang naka-summer break lang naman po sila. Tama kaya ‘yung pasahod nung school?” a member of the Mariteam asked.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano gave a direct answer: "Yes."

“[During] semestral breaks, hindi kasama sa pagkwenta ng [sweldo ng] teachers ‘yung mga holidays do’n. Pero ‘yung Christmas break, kasama ‘yon,” he explained.

He further clarified that private schools are not required by law to provide holiday pay during breaks like summer and semestral breaks.

“Walang nagbabawal kung gusto nung private school [pero] marami sa kanila, challenged din sa finances so hindi sila obliged or hindi obligasyon under the law na bayaran nila ng holiday pay [ang teachers] during summer breaks or semestral breaks,” Kuya Alan elaborated.

Another issue raised was the probationary period for teachers, especially those teaching for over a year but are still considered probationary.

“The general rule [for employees] is that [after] six months, kailangan i-regular ka na,” said Kuya Alan.

However, he noted the exception for professors. “Ang batas mismo ang nagsasabi na pagka ikaw ay isang professor, three years.”

“Sa teachers kasi, hindi mo basta-basta ma-assess ‘yan ng one year na pagtuturo so ang binibigay ng batas, three years bago ma-regular,” he added.

‘CIA with BA’ continues the legacy of the late Senator Rene Cayetano and airs every Sunday at 11:00 p.m. on GMA7, with replays on GTV the following Saturday at 10:30 p.m.