MANILA - The Department of Education has approved the release of P977 million in special allowance for teachers who face hardship in their posts, Malacañang announced Thursday.
Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the special hardship allowances (SHA) will be given to teachers handling a class of two or more grades, carrying out mobile teaching functions; and performing alternative learning system (ALS) program coordinating functions.
The incoming SHA, amounting to P977,405,080, will cover 17,291 schools, school districts and community learning centers.
These schools include those "with transport inaccessibility, as well as those in difficult situations such as exposure to calamities and armed conflicts," Abella said.
DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones requested the special hardship allowance from the Department of Budget and Management last November to cover the deficiency in compensation to teachers exposed to hardship or difficulty in the place of work.
The DBM in December issued and released a Special Allotment Release Order for the SHA.
DepEd said it is also working with DBM to review SHA guidelines to be more responsive to the needs of teachers in hardship posts.
SOURCE: ABS-CBN