Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte leads the 2023 National Teachers’ Month and World Teachers’ Day kick-off program in Tagbilaran City, Bohol on Sept. 5, 2023. (INQUIRER VISAYAS / Leo Udtohan)
TAGBILARAN CITY – Teachers are builders of dreams and the guiding light of learners, Vice President and concurrent Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte said during the 2023 National Teachers Month kickoff rites here on Tuesday.
Duterte in her speech before 1,216 teachers who were gathered at Bohol Wisdom gymnasium, likewise bared plans and policies that would benefit teachers.
“Teachers are the start of inspiration of every classroom, the guiding light of countless possibilities and bright future of the builders of our nation’s dreams. Many dreams started inside the classrooms. Many dreams were inspired by teachers,” she said.
Duterte recalled how her English teacher in high school helped her in her studies and inspired her to reach her dreams.
Good news, teachers!!!
Duterte also announced that she is planning to cut down the administrative tasks of teachers from 56 to 11 after noticing that teachers had a lot of administrative duties aside from teaching.
Duterte likewise said she would also release a memorandum that would allow teachers to avail of 30 days straight vacation.
The Department of Education (DepEd), she added, would launch a website where teachers could ask for legal assistance.
Duterte’s announcement was received with applause and cheers from the teachers.
Teachers are treasures — Gov. Aumentado
Local government officials headed by Gov. Aris Aumentado and Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap as well as DepED’s partners from private and non-government organizations also extended their greetings to teachers and expressed their support for Filipino teachers.
Aumentado said Tuesday’s event was “to celebrate the valuable treasures of our country, we also come together as a nation to express our profound appreciation, admiration, affirmation, and recognition to every Filipino who has dedicated themselves to the noble profession of teaching.”