DepEd sets eyes on returning OFW teachers, expanded benefits amid hiring push — Angara

The Department of Education (DepEd) is prioritizing the hiring of returning Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) teachers and expanding benefits as part of its response to both workforce needs and ongoing repatriations from the Middle East, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said Thursday.

In an ambush interview, Angara said returning OFW educators are being given priority in available teaching positions under a Presidential directive.

“Instructions ng Pangulo, talagang i-prioritize yung mga returning OFWs dito sa positions dahil alam n’yo naman, meron tayong malakihang hiring,” he said.

(The President’s instructions are to prioritize returning OFWs for these positions, especially since we have large-scale hiring.)

The move forms part of the government’s broader reintegration efforts, including the creation of an inter-agency national reintegration network to support Filipinos returning from abroad, particularly those affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Angara said the “Sa ‘Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir” (SPIMS) program is designed to help OFW teachers transition back into the local education system, including providing training for those who have been away from the country for over a year.

He added that returning teachers may also benefit from faster career progression.

“Bukod sa nakakuhang trabaho, mabilis din ang kanilang promotion,” he said, citing cases of teachers who were recently hired and later promoted.

(Aside from getting jobs, their promotions can also come faster.)

The Education chief noted that limited promotion opportunities in the past were among the reasons some teachers chose to work abroad.

“Iyan din kasi ang rason bakit maraming nag-aabroad na teacher… feeling nila hindi sila nabibigyan ng atensyon,” he said.

(That is also one reason why many teachers go abroad—they feel they are not given enough attention or opportunities.)

Angara also highlighted expanded support for teachers, including increased teaching allowances.

“Dati P500 lang ‘yon… lumaki lang over time,” he said, referring to the teaching supplies allowance, which has since been raised under existing laws.

(It used to be only P500… it has increased over time.)

Beyond personnel support, the DepEd is also ramping up infrastructure development, with thousands of new classrooms targeted for construction this year.

“Over 20,000 na maumpisahan this year… easily in the hundreds of billions,” Angara said, referring to combined funding from national and local sources.

(Over 20,000 classrooms are expected to be started this year… easily reaching hundreds of billions in funding.)

DepEd said these efforts aim to strengthen the education workforce, improve learning conditions, and address long-standing gaps in facilities and teacher support nationwide. —RF, GMA News