ARMM hires 75 new teachers for Maguindanao, more expected to get jobs

COTABATO CITY – Dozens of newly hired teachers for the province of Maguindanao were added to the roster of the Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DEPED-ARMM) on Monday, officials said.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman signed the appointment papers of 75 teachers and said their profession is more of service and commitment than livelihood. “You chose this path because it is your passion -because you are committed and determined that you want our youth to learn. The regional government will not neglect your efforts and will provide what you deserve,” he said.

Debunking the misconception that appointments in ARMM are tainted with corruption, Gov. Hataman said those appointed are qualified and do not have those so-called backers. A mechanism was made to ensure that appointees are well-distributed to schools that are in need. Along with the appointment order is a deployment order.

In his first appearance as the newly appointed DEPEDARMM Secretary, Atty. Rasol Mitmug, Jr. reminded the teachers that the region’s “youth is expecting to receive quality education.”

“Sana maging daan kayong mga guro na matulungan ang mga batang magsumikap sa pag aaral dahil maraming kabataan ang umaasa na magkaroon ng maayos at dekalidad na edukasyon,” he told the teachers.

One of the teachers, Elpigenia Apellido, a 41-year old single mother with two children, said: “Excited ako na may halong kaba.”

Her appointment was 18 years in the making. Since her graduation in 1999, Apellido served as a factory worker in Luzon and also as a farmer in her hometown in Sultan Kudarat.

During the past two years, she served as a volunteer teacher in Kulasi Elementary School where she did not receive compensation. Previously teaching in makeshift classrooms to underprivileged children, she is now eager to go back as a full-fledged teacher and help her students who usually go to school without basic supplies such as pens and notebooks.

“As a teacher and the second mother of my students, I play an important role in nurturing them for their future,” she said. “It’s never too late to reach for your dreams. I’m here now signing my papers, although long overdue, this serves as a message to everyone.”

“Sacrifices have to be made along the way, but if you get the chance to go to school, do not miss it, since you never know when your break will come,” she said.

Gov. Hataman said the appointments comprised just the first batch of new teachers in the region. More appointees are expected to be made this year. “The process will be easier now. Our main goal is to finish all appointments, including senior high school, by first quarter of this year,” he said, adding, DEPED-ARMM will fill all teaching positions in nine schools divisions in the region in the first quarter of this year.

Newly hired teacher Sahira Kalipapa said the distance between her home and her school assignment may be challenging, but she is more excited to help her students. A 30-year-old resident of Datu Paglas North, she will be deployed to Darampua Elementary School in Sultan sa Barongis town, an hour away from her place.

“Wala pong kaso sa akin ang layo, ang mahalaga po sa akin ay makatulong sa mga estudyante sa sarili kong probinsya,” Sahira said. Overwhelmed with joy as she signed her deployment order, she said: “It’s an answered prayer po. Sobrang saya po na finally teacher na po ako.”

“Ang sarap po sa pakiramdam dahil alam namin na dumaan ito sa tamang proseso. Libu-libo ang applicants na kasabay ko dito at masaya ako na napabilang ako sa mga newly hired teachers,” she said.

Sahira said that she never thought of applying to other places outside the ARMM. “Mas pipiliin ko pa rin po ang lugar namin dahil mas kailangan po kami sa lugar namin,” she added.

Applicants for teaching positions in the ARMM have to go through the Assessment and Competency Examination for Teachers that includes a panel interview and a teaching demonstration to evaluate their aptitude and proficiency for teaching. The process is meant to promote quality education in the region.

Gov. Hataman said it helps guarantee that only qualified teachers will be hired. On January 4 this year, the appointment papers and deployment orders of the 192 public school teachers in Sulu were signed by the governor.

“Our goal is to fill in all the teaching vacancies in the first quarter of the year,” he said. “Nandito kayo hindi dahil sa kung sino ang nagrecommend sayo, nandito kayo dahil dumaan kayo sa tamang proseso at alam namin na qualified kayo,” he said.

Another teacher, Johaira Ali, also thanked and praised Gov. Hataman for hiring them, saying, they waited for this for a long time. “I’m excited to be finally appointed by the ARMM Department of Education because I’ve been waiting for this for a long time,” she said.

Musarafah Ebrahim, a teacher who shared her own excitement, said: “I’m happy to be here. I’ve always found joy in teaching, and I feel like this is truly the job for me.” Qualified, not endorsed

Gov. Hataman told the teachers “I made sure to meet all of you today because I wanted to tell you personally that you are here not because of anyone’s endorsement, but because you are qualified.

Atty. Mitmug reminded the teachers of their crucial role as educators. “Many of the youth here in the ARMM are hoping to receive quality education in our public school system, and the backbone of good and quality education are good and qualified teachers.”

Ali and Ebrahim, both of whom have served as volunteer teachers prior to their appointment, know their responsibility all too well. Threat of terrorism Ali acknowledged the unique challenges in the region, especially with the threat of terrorism and the vulnerability of the youth when it came to the ongoing recruitment of local terror groups.

“I always remind my students to be critical and to refuse when someone recruits them into an unknown group with the promise of a better life. I tell them that joining organizations that promote violence and terror will do nothing to help our community. It will only make our critical situation worse,” Ali said.

Ebrahim, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of education to her students.

“I tell them not to join those kinds of groups because it will do nothing for their future. Failing to prioritize their education will only result to them being left behind as the rest of the community works towards peace and development,” she said.

She also worked on her students’ social skills and sense of community. “It’s important to me that they learn how to socialize and interact with other people. I’ve encountered students who were very shy, but with a bit of encouragement they’re now more open to their peers,” she shared. Catalysts for change Seated at the next table was Sandria Mustapha, a former volunteer teacher who was set to be appointed as a public school teacher as well.

“Everybody says this, but I’m really passionate about teaching,” Mustapha said. “I used to volunteer in a high school in Buluan.

As a teacher, I believe we are catalysts for change. Once you’re a teacher, you’re changing the lives of children you’re handling.”

“Values-based education is important,” she added. Every day, we must remind the students of the values we hold dear as Muslims and the values we share with the rest of humanity. It is our responsibility to constantly impress upon that terrorism is wrong.” Serve the nation Atty. Mitmug also told the teachers that “you may encounter students of different beliefs, they may be Lumad, Christian, or Moro, and it is important to remember that despite these differences, we are rendering our service and commitment to one country.”

Echoing Mitmug’s sentiment, Gov. Hataman said: “We are not here just to work and earn wages; we are here to serve the youth, especially the next generation who will inherit the triumphs and failures of our own.”

“It is important that you are passionate and committed to this career, and you are determined to guide our youth as they learn not just in school but in life. In return, know that the regional government is committed and determined to give you what is right and just,” he added.

The regional government has previously appointed 192 teachers and deployed in Sulu earlier this month. To date, the ARMM has 25,000 teaching and non-teaching personnel. The region is composed of nine schools divisions that include the divisions of Maguindanao I and II, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur I and II, Lamitan City, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawitawi.