Filipino licensed teachers who may return to the Philippines amid the ongoing tensions in the Middle East will receive direct reintegration support into the public school system, the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Monday.

In a statement, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said the agency remains ready to aid affected overseas Filipino teachers who are considering coming back home through its “Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir” (SPIMS) reintegration program.

“Sa mga gurong Pilipino sa Gitnang Silangan at sa iba pang panig ng mundo, bukas ang pintuan ng ating mga pampublikong paaralan para sa inyo (To all the teachers in the Middle East and other parts of the world, the doors of our public schools are open for you),” he said.

The SPIMS provides a reintegration pathway for licensed Filipino teachers employed overseas to transition into the public school system.

The program also provides them with the opportunity to access online refresher courses, enabling them to align their pedagogical competencies with current educational standards.

“Kung magpapasya kayong umuwi, kasama ninyo ang DepEd sa panibagong yugto ng inyong paglilingkod (If you will decide to come home, the DepEd is with you in this new chapter of your service),” Angara said.

Qualified applicants may be hired and appointed as Teacher I under permanent status, subject to compliance with established qualification standards and existing hiring guidelines.

The SPIMS Program is an employment reintegration convergence initiative led by the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) and implemented in coordination and partner agencies, including DepEd, the Commission on Higher Education, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and other relevant government offices.

The program ensures institutional coordination for a structured and orderly transition of returning OFWs into the public education system.

Eligible applicants must be Filipino citizens or Philippine passport holders who are Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) passers with at least one year of accumulated teaching experience within the last five years and who have not resided in the Philippines for more than three consecutive years based on their latest arrival record.

For guidance on the application process and documentary requirements, applicants may coordinate with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) or the NRCO through their official channels.

Required documents include a valid Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID, Certificate of Board Rating, and proof of employment abroad. (PNA)