The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday said it is awaiting the result of a World Bank (WB) study to assess ideal benefits for public school teachers.

“We are expecting preliminary results from the World Bank in a few weeks. They are just requesting additional data from DepEd which we are now processing,” DepEd spokesperson Undersecretary Michael Poa told reporters in a Viber message.

Poa’s remarks came after progressive lawmakers in the House of Representatives filed House Bill 9920 on Tuesday, seeking to increase the entry-level salary of public school teachers to PHP50,000.

He mentioned working with the WB to commission the study last year, even before the filing of the said proposal.

Poa said they need the initial results of the study to assess the feasibility and extent of the pay increase.

“DepEd had already engaged the World Bank to provide a study, not only on whether an increase should be made but also on the ideal percentage of increases for the coming years vis-a-vis inflation rates,” he said.

“The Department will diligently participate in the Congressional deliberations for the said bill,” he added.

Poa, meanwhile, assured the DepEd shall always be an advocate for additional benefits for teachers.

Last January, the DepEd, in Department Order No. 002, relieved teachers of non-teaching or administrative tasks.

In 2023, the agency also provided additional staffing complement in schools through the creation of 9,659 new teaching positions; 3,500 Administrative Officer II positions; and 1,500 Project Development Officer I positions. (PNA)