Gov't expands program to reintegrate OFW teachers in PH classrooms

The government on Wednesday launched the nationwide expansion of a reintegration program aimed at helping overseas Filipino worker (OFW) teachers return to the country's public school system, as part of broader efforts to support repatriated workers.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Education Secretary Sonny Angara led the rollout of the initiative in Tacloban City in Leyte. It forms part of the Bayanihan para sa Balikbayang Manggagawa National Reintegration Network (NRN) Regional Fairs.

A key component of the program is "Balik Turo: A Hero's Journey Home," which focuses on reintegrating licensed Filipino teachers who previously worked abroad into local classrooms through the "Sa 'Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma'am at Sir" (SPIMS) program.

Angara said the initiative is designed to provide returning educators with employment opportunities in the country.

"Ang direktiba ni Pangulong Marcos ay tiyaking may naghihintay na maayos na trabaho para sa ating mga gurong nagbabalik-bayan upang hindi na nila kailangang muling mawalay sa kanilang mga pamilya," he said.

(The directive of President Marcos is to ensure that decent jobs await our returning teachers so they no longer have to be separated from their families again.)

"Sa pamamagitan ng programang ito, binibigyan natin ng boses at pagkakataon ang ating mga bagong bayani na maglingkod muli sa ating mga silid-aralan," he added.

(Through this program, we are giving our modern-day heroes a voice and an opportunity to serve again in our classrooms.)

The kickoff event was held at Leyte National High School, where returning teachers shared their experiences transitioning from overseas work back into the Philippine education system.

"Masaya po ako sa ganitong programa kasi malaking tulong ito para sa mga guro na mga OFW na gusto nang bumalik sa Pilipinas at manilbihan bilang isang guro ulit," said Evan Jose de Veyra, who taught in Thailand for 17 years and now serves as a public school teacher in Leyte.

(I am happy with this program because it helps OFW teachers who want to return to the Philippines and serve again as teachers.)

Another teacher, George Michael Celiz, said returning to teach in the country allowed him to be closer to family.

"Nothing compares with teaching your own countrymen at ang magkatrabaho po na malapit sa pamilya ay napakasarap na feeling. I am very grateful to our government for supporting us," he said.

(Nothing compares with teaching your fellow Filipinos. Working close to your family is a very fulfilling feeling. I am very grateful to our government for supporting us.)

According to the Department of Education, the SPIMS program—implemented in partnership with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)—has facilitated the return of 11,056 OFW teachers into the public school system since it began in 2014.

The expansion of the reintegration fairs follows an April 4 pilot run in Quezon City amid government efforts to assist thousands of OFWs recently repatriated from the Middle East.

During the week-long regional fairs, DepEd provides services such as a SPIMS help desk, onsite registration for Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) tests, and access to the Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) for OFW families.

The agency is also offering support for Senior High School vouchers and scholarships, board exam review sponsorships, and licensing assistance through the Teacher Education Council, as part of efforts to support the professional transition of returning educators. — VDV, GMA News