Teachers hold nationwide sit-down strike to demand justice, pay hike

Teachers nationwide vowed to escalate efforts for genuine reform and accountability in the education sector after they halted regular classes on Friday, Nov. 28, to demand justice, decent pay, and systemic reforms in the Philippine education sector.

- By MERLINA HERNANDO-MALIPOT

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) led a nationwide sit-down strike, with 237 schools across 34 major cities and provinces in 14 regions participating during the first half of the day.

"This strike is a collective act of truth-telling," said ACT Chairperson Ruby Bernardo. "Teachers are turning their classrooms into spaces of critical learning, exposing how corruption and government neglect have pushed our schools and communities into a deeper crisis."

Bernardo said that as long as the rotten system that destroys public service remains, patriotic, militant, and progressive teachers will continue to fight.

ACT said that despite attempts to discourage participation through gag orders, surveillance, and warnings of possible consequences, classrooms across the country became hubs of protest and political education.