‘SA ‘PINAS IKAW ANG MAM AT SIR’

ELSIE T. DELOS SANTOS

When you suffer out of loving we call that passion. You commiserate with the pains of others, just like being in the same boat with the guy ,only this time you are committed; meaning willing and ready to suffer the consequences that maybe the results of the loving.

Suffering the consequences especially the not so good ones may be considered the passion.

When money, the fame , pain or material gain is your sole motivation , then while you may have indeed gains , but meaningless , shallow and tempor ar y.

There is nothing like passion and commitment to succeed, like success in any endeavor or undertaking.

In teaching passion and commitment are the indelible marks we shall be leaving behind the hearts of the learning. The mind may forget but not the heart; especially the one touch by heart.

— oOo— The author is Teacher III at San Fernando Elementary School, City of San Fernando, Pampanga

EVANGELINE B. NAVARRO

“Sa ‘Pinas Ikaw ang Mam at Sir.” This is the emphasis of a new program for teachers, particularly Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) returning from various jobs abroad.

The program, launched by the Department of Labor and Employment and Department of Education, will employ for starters at least 43 OFWs from Central Luzon under the “Sa ‘Pinas Ikaw ang Mam at Sir” (SPIMS) upon their return to the Philippines.

The SPIMS Program aims to assist OFWs who are Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) passers working abroad as professional teachers or household service workers to be employed as teachers when they return in the Philippines.

Aside from the Department of Labor and Employment and Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and the Professional Regulation Commission are collaborating for the program.

For the School Year 2017-2018, a total of 542 OFWs passed the evaluation and endorsement of the Department of Labor and Employment by having passed the LET, taken refresher courses, or taught within the last five years. They will automatically be given permanent Teacher I items, and be assigned to schools with shortages.

In Central Luzon, a total of 43 returning OFWs will be given permanent teaching positions in public schools near their residences in the provinces of Aurora, Bulacan, Bataan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija and Tarlac. 25 teachers will be assigned in the elementary level while 18 will be assigned in the Junior High School level.

Schools Division Offices are instructed to conduct thorough interview and demonstration teaching and are tasked to address noted gaps appropriately through the conduct of teacher trainings and other apt interventions.

It is hoped that the SPIMs program will help OFWs who really want to go back home. With SPIMs, our fellow teachers returning from abroad can help shape future generations and serve our country and at the same time, get to spend more time with their families.

The author is Master Teacher — oOo— I at Angeles City National High School