February 8, 2016, 7:52p.m. – GOVERNMENT agencies will offer financial support of up to six months’ salary and scholarships for college faculty set to be displaced by the K to 12 transition this year.

In forum on Feb. 6 at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines complex in Intramuros, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) announced details of the K to 12 “Adjustment Measures Program” for personnel of higher education institutions (HEI).  

Under the program, a qualified faculty member will get monthly financial support while “actively seeking” a job. Non-permanent workers will receive a salary for three months, while those in permanent positions will get six months.

The monthly amount will be based on the prevailing median salary in the region or the faculty member’s last monthly salary, whichever is lower, the Dole said.

Dole will also provide job placement assistance and livelihood training as part of efforts to protect “displaced HEI personnel and their families against loss of continued income.”  

Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) data showed that a total of 23,738 workers would be displaced from 2016 to 2018 by the K to 12 transition, during which students who have completed Grade 10 will go to senior high school or Grades 11 and 12. This will lead to a drastic decline in enrollment in colleges and universities until 2022.

Meanwhile, HEI personnel who will be retained by their schools but will get lower salaries as a result of reduced enrollment will be offered CHEd scholarships. This will cover graduate studies, stipends, book allowances, and thesis or dissertation grants.  

The adjustment program was crafted by Dole, the Department of Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and CHEd under joint guidelines for the implementation of the Enhanced Basic Education Act signed by President Aquino in 2013.  

Other institutions present in the forum include Adamson University, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, San Sebastian College, Centro Escolar University, and Miriam College. The forum was organized by the Council of Teachers and Staff of Colleges and Universities with UST professor Rene Tadle as head. Kathryn Jedi V. Baylon

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