Increase of Chalk Allowance or Teaching Supplies Allowance for Public School Teachers (from P3,500 to P10,000), Explained

The chalk allowance or Teaching Supplies Allowance for public school teachers has been raised from Php 3,500.00 to Php 10,000.00 from the start of the class; DepEd teachers in the Philippines are given a chalk allowance amounting to 3,500.00. But this amount is set to increase to 10,000.00 after the Senate approved Senate Bill 1092, also known as the “Teaching Supplies Allowance Act. of 2020” This is good news for all DepEd teachers!

Under the bill, the chalk allowance is diverted to a “teaching supplies allowance” to purchase tangible and intangible teaching supplies and materials. These teaching supplies and materials are needed for teachers to implement different teaching modalities. Teachers considered not using chalk, but it will likely transfer to the various supplies needed to be comfortable, especially in this pandemic. The change to the chalk allowance is timely and appropriate.

According to Section 3 of  Teaching Supplies Allowance Act, "Teaching Supplies Allowance for the purchase of teaching supplies and materials, tangible or intangible for the implementation or conduct of various learning delivery modalities (LDMS) in the amount of Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) per teacher for the school year 2021-2022 and 2022-2023; Seven thousand five hundred pesos (P7,500.00) per teacher; for the school year 2023-2024, Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00); and Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) per teacher for the school year 2024-2025, and thereafter  are hereby authorized: Provided, That this allowance shall be EXEMPT FROM INCOME TAX."

The teachers received Php 3,500.00 for a chalk allowance in the previous school year. The approved bill suggests a staggered basis for implementing the increased teaching supplies allowance starting from the school year (2021–2022). The chalk allowance or teaching supplies allowance increased to 5,000.00 until the current school year (2022–2023). But in the 2023–2024 school year, the budget will rise to PHP 7,500.00. DepEd teachers will fully benefit from the final increase of Php 10,000.00 from 2024–2025.

The Department of Education (DepEd) gladly welcomed and praised the Senators for approving the bill. This is the official statement of the Department of Education, “Itinuturing nating makabagong bayani ang ating mga guro sa mga pampublikong paaralan at nais nating pasalamatan ang Senado ng Pilipinas bilang ating kaisa sa pagsuporta at pagtugon sa pagpapatupad ng patuloy na pagtaas ng teaching supplies allowance sa susunod na apat na taon” Under Senate Bill 1092, the bill passed on Monday’s third reading and is waiting for the approval of the final deliberation. The continued increase in the teaching supplies allowance is the following:

School Year 2021-2022- Php 5,000.00
School Year 2022-2023-Php 5,000.00
School Year 2023-2024- Php 7,500.00
School Year 2024-2024- Php 10,000.00