Manila: The Department of Education (DepEd) has broadened its reintegration support for overseas Filipino worker (OFW) teachers, responding to a growing number of educators looking to return to local classrooms.
According to Philippines News Agency, this week's nationwide Bayanihan Para sa Balikbayang Manggagawa National Reintegration Network (NRN) Fairs, in collaboration with the Department of Migrant Workers, offered returning licensed teachers and their families access to stable livelihoods and educational services. Education Secretary Sonny Angara underscored that the initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to prioritize the welfare of displaced workers and their families.
Angara highlighted the President's commitment to ensuring that returning teachers have access to good jobs, preventing further separation from their families. He stated in a news release, "Ang direktiba ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos ay tiyaking may naghihintay na maayos na trabaho para sa ating mga gurong nagbabalik-bayan upang hindi na nila kailangang muling mawalay sa kanilang mga pamilya."
The regional fairs, launched by President Marcos and Angara in Tacloban City, Leyte on April 15, are part of a comprehensive government effort to support OFWs affected by Middle East conflicts. Data from these events indicated substantial engagement with the Sa 'Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma'am at Sir (SPIMS) Program help desk, as numerous educators sought pathways back into the local public school system.
The Cagayan Valley fair engaged 166 educators, while Calabarzon assisted 105 teachers with inquiries. Additionally, the SPIMS Program recorded 96 inquiries in the Negros Island Region, 94 in Central Visayas, 78 in the Cordillera Administrative Region, and 48 in Mimaropa.
During the Balik Turo: A Hero's Journey Way Home segment, SPIMS beneficiaries shared their experiences and the program's impact. Teacher I Pamela Moron from Sta. Fe National High School in Leyte expressed the unique fulfillment of teaching Filipino learners after her stint in Cambodia. Similarly, Teacher I Kaydee Pelayo from Candaba Elementary School in Pampanga, who returned from the UAE during the pandemic, encouraged fellow OFWs to trust the transition process, emphasizing the support provided by the SPIMS Program.
The program not only assists educators in finding employment but also offers a variety of services, such as scholarships for OFW family members aspiring to enter the teaching profession and education subsidies through a voucher program for OFW children. Special tests for Accreditation and Equivalency and the Philippine Educational Placement Test are also available to aid families in transitioning back into the Philippine education system.
Furthermore, DepEd offers licensure support and review incentives for those preparing for board exams, ensuring comprehensive assistance for returning educators.
