DEPED-ARMM deploys 6000 teachers for polls

COTABATO CITY – The Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DEPEDARMM) deployed Monday some 6,000 teachers to serve as members of the electoral board for every precinct in the Barangay and Sanguniang Kabataan polls.

DEPED-ARMM Secretary Rasol Y. Mitmug, Jr. said that three teachers will be assigned as members of the electoral board and each of them will receive P6,500 allowance. He said that the Commission on Elections and security forces assured the safety of the teachers and that DEPED-ARMM implemented the Emergency Response Network to ensure the safety of the teachers.

Meanwhile, Mitmug said they are also set to fill a total of 2,458 available vacancies for school year 2018-2019, which includes teaching positions in the elementary and junior high school level, pending the issuance of the Notice of Organization, Staffing and Compensation Action from the Deped-central Office.

He said they are addressing various concerns on the teachers’ status should the Bangsamoro Basic Law be passed soon by Congress. He said that DEPED-ARMM has already started preparing for the transition by updating their records of teachers and the inventory of equipment.

He also echoed information that has been provided by legislators during peace forums, saying that DEPED-ARMM teachers who hold appointive positions will not be removed upon the dissolution of the region. However, they could avail different options during the four-year transition period which include reapplication for a teaching position, filing for terminal leave, or any other option that may be provided for by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority.

In terms of furthering education reform in the region, Mitmug said he is pushing for school-based management which is a strategy that better empowers the DEPED-ARMM, along with schools across the region, in terms of planning and decision-making on education policies.

In addition, he said there are plans to draft and distribute worksheets custom-made by the DEPED-ARMM for first graders in the region. This aims to enhance their learning abilities based on the 3Rs (read, write, and recognize) while also focusing on basic subjects.

Mitmug said these worksheets will be a great help, especially to those pupils who live in remote areas and find it difficult to acquire books. “Ang pinaka-exciting part dito sa worksheet natin ay magiging common material siya para sa mga bata sa ARMM, para magkaroon ng common identity,” he said.

“Pagtulungan po natin ito at ang importante po ay malinis ang intension natin na lahat ng ito ay para sa ating mga kabataan,” Mitmug said.

DEPED-ARMM Assistant Secretary Sittie Mariam Balahim said applicants for the remaining Teacher 1 positions are currently being screened to fill up vacancy in the ARMM. There are three phases that applicants should undergo – examination, interview, and demonstration teaching. While teaching eligibility is the baseline qualification, she said they would seek out the best to fill the limited number of teaching positions.

“Kung sino po yung pinakamagaling, ‘yun po ang mabibigyan ng item,” Balahim said.

Among the aspiring teachers is Meriam Abdullah, a walk-in applicant from Datu Piang town in Maguindanao province. Abdullah said she is hoping to get hired. “Malaking tulong po sa amin ng pamilya ko kung susuwertehin akong mabigyan ng item,” she said.