THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) lauds the passage of Senate Bill (SB) No. 1964 or the 'Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo' Act during its third and final reading in the Senate on 22 May 2023. SB 1964 seeks to institutionalize and increase the teaching supply allowance (TSA) of public school teachers in the country.

From their current Php5,000 'chalk allowance,' public school teachers will receive an allowance for teaching supplies and other incidental expenses worth Php7,500 in the academic year (AY) 2023 to 2024, and Php10,000 for AY 2024 to 2025 onwards. Furthermore, the TSA will not be subject to tax.