World Teachers' Day
September 5 marks the start of the annual celebration of the National Teachers' Month or NTM. The NTM, which will run until October 5, is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 242 entitled Declaring the Period of September 5 to October 5 Every Year as National Teachers’Month, as well as Republic Act No. 10743 entitled An Act Declaring the Fifth Day of October of Every Year as the National Teachers’Day and its Implementing Rules and Regulations and the designation of the World Teachers’Day every 5th of October by the United Nations Education and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO).
This year's celebration is anchored on the theme “Gurong Filipino: Katuwang sa Hamon, Kasama sa Pagbangon.” Indeed, as we implemented the second year of the distance learning modality because of the pandemic, the sacrifices and hard work of our teachers cannot be underestimated. They are also regarded as front liners, who brave the risks of COVID-19 in order to reach out to their learners and ensure that education continues amidst the pandemic.
Contrary to what most are thinking, our teachers did not stop working even if they are allowed to work from home as part of the alternative work arrangement or AWA being implemented in schools to curb the transmission of the virus. Even while staying in their homes, they have prepared or reproduced the modules or activity sheets for their students, meet with the parents and guardians for the distribution and retrieval of the modules, and even conduct visitations whenever possible for those needing support and intervention. Our teachers have also prepared video lessons and radiobased instruction scripts and lesson plans. They also conduct online classes and consultations with their students. At the same time, our teachers perform added responsibilities such as assisting in the School-Based Feeding Program to help the undernourished students acquire nutritious food products and milk packs.
Cliché as it may sound, but teaching remains to be the noblest profession, and at the same time the mother of all professions.
the medical front liners are in the spotlight now as they are the ones battling hard to beat COVID-19. But our teachers have remained dedicated and passionate with their task of ensuring that no learner will be left behind, with or without pandemic. Once again, I give my salute to all the teachers and I greet all of you a Happy World Teachers' Day!
Since the pandemic, parents and guardians have also taken the role of the teachers at home for their children, and for that, let us also recognize the efforts of our parents and guardians who are continuously guiding their children as they accomplish their school work at home. Kudos too to all the home teachers (myself included)!
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