OFW TEACHERS

ALGIE JURIDICO

Ever wonder why many skillful and talented educators choose to leave the country?

Filipinos are born with good attitude especially in hospitality and service to others. This is mainly the reason why our countrymen are ‘in-demand’ abroad. Filipinos are known for excellent service providers and humble workers in the institution they are in. No wonder why many of our fellow become successful in foreign land.

I have known a number of excellent people who chose to work abroad and away from their families. People who were potential leaders of our institutions yet they opted to endure the pain leaving alone in other countries because they could see that working in the local government could not immediately suffice the personal and familial responsibilities on their back.

Don’t they love the Philippines? For sure, they do. Don’t they want to serve their fellow? For sure, they do. Yet, they have to be practical.

The salary in this country seems to be so little compared to what is offered abroad, that is why great teachers are being proselyted to forget patriotism and think first of the realization of the dreams of their families. If they earn more, they will be able to provide more for the people who rely on them – their children, their loved ones.

This scenario does not show the ‘materialistic’attitude of Filipinos but their eagerness and motivation to do more than enough for the benefit of others. They can foresee that working abroad could offer huge means for them to improve their lives. Even though they know they will suffer from the pain of solitude and the difficulty of adapting to new culture and environment, they will choose to sacrifice themselves. And that is HEROISM – sacrificing oneself for the good of others.

Although, more remittances can boost the country’s economy, the increasing number of teachers who work abroad is alarming. Teachers are the molders of youth. If great teachers will leave the country, many learners will suffer. Quality education comes only from quality teachers.

If only these teachers will be given more opportunities to support their family here, they will not choose to leave. Though the government plans for teachers are commendable, unfortunately, those seem not to be enough. Teachers who work abroad do not demand a lot yet, for sure, they only want security for themselves and for their families.

I am not sure how the government will work on this concern but I am sure that this issue needs to be resolved as soon as possible to maintain, or better, to improve the quality of education in the country. The future is on the hands of the people concerned on this matter.

--oOo— The author is SPED Teacher at Jose Escaler Memorial School Apalit District, Division Of Pampanga