BEYOND THE FACADE

Asthey enter the classroom, some might say they look stress free, some could even say that they must be having a really good time, or so they thought. What they did not know is that beyond the things that can be seen by the naked eye is a person, a parent, a daughter, a son, a sister, or a brother; basically, people with more taxing responsibilities other than acting as a catalyst for education. Embracing the new normal way of learning, educators were forced to work from their homes. Exposing them to more hassle situations where they would have to mix their work and home environment in one place.

Behind the Mask

Rallie Ann D. Taborete, breadwinner to her family, emphasized that there will always be pressure in balancing work and being a daughter. “As a daughter you want to provide all the things your parents want not because it's your responsibility to give back but because you love them and you appreciate their love, care, efforts and sacrifices in raising you,” she quoted. She even stressed that there are times when it is definitely hard to provide for her family, but she prioritizes seeing them happy, especially her parents. “Minsan, kailangan din nating isacrifice yung mga wants and needs natin just like how our parents did to give us a comfortable life.”

Teacher Rallie admits that there were times when she got tired of her work as a teacher and could not focus on her job. Instead, she shared that she has to look fine even for just an hour to face her students. “ Kailangan mong umarte na ok ka kasi hindi pwedeng haharapin mo sila nang ‘di ka ok.”

Overworked yet, Underpaid

Annabel D. Erolon, teaching for 28 years and a mother of 3, admitted that teachers are indeed overloaded with work and yet are underpaid. Their responsibilities cannot be done during class hours and they would have to extend late in the evening or during weekends to fulfill their duties. Teachers working 8 to 9 hours a day does not mean that their work is only confined within those hours. “You have no choice but to extend your time in school or bring your works at home and insert them in your holiday.”

“Having 3 kids in today's economic situation where all other basic needs are rising, I just manage my income by prioritizing my family's needs and setting aside my wants,” she highlighted. In spite of the excessive workloads, Mrs. Erolon