If you're talking about survival, one can survive on a lot less. Did you read about a family who earns less than 1k recently? And they can still save 100 per month! Just today in the news was a family that live on a few hundreds monthly too.

I don't think the family will be able to save anymore though, thanks to the current increase in prices...

It's not only teachers too, it's the same for IT people just starting. 3k is about the norm, sometimes even less. Surely can survive but can't buy so many things anymore lah.