Cotabato City (January 15, 2018) – Seventy-five (75) 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 morning, January 15.
During the signing of the teachers’ appointment papers, ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said teaching is more of service and commitment than the 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 DepEd-ARMM Secretary, Atty. Rasol Mitmug, Jr. reminded the teachers that the region’s “youth is expecting to receive quality education.”
Elpigenia Apellido, a 41-year old single mother with two children, is one of the 75 appointees on Monday morning. “Excited ako na may halong kaba,” she said after signing her appointment paper and deployment order.
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, 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 added.
Meanwhile, Gov. Mujiv Hataman said Monday’s appointments comprise 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.”
SOURCE: (Bureau of Public Information)
January 15, 2018 @ 17:02
N-BICTO-011518-283
