Vice President and concurrent Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte updated public school teachers in Negros Occidental province on the reforms in the Department of Education (DepEd) as she led the National Teachers’ Month program at the Panaad Park and Stadium here on Friday afternoon.
“DepEd’s vision is to provide innovative, long-term solutions to basic education challenges,” Duterte told some 3,400 teachers and non-teaching personnel who attended the “Teacher Ikaw Na! Guro Vaganza 2023” event organized by the DepEd Division of Negros Occidental.
Among the developments she discussed were the reduction in administrative tasks of teachers from 56 to only 11, which are the only ones with legal bases, and the 30-day break after the school year.
She said the DepEd will soon launch a website to assist teachers with financial loan contract problems.
“These initiatives are testament to our understanding of your challenges and our determination to ensure you focus on what you do best, and that is, teaching,” Duterte said.
The vice president was joined by Senators Imee Marcos and Francis Tolentino, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, and Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez.
In his message, Lacson paid tribute to the teachers for their selfless dedication and remarkable service as he assured the DepEd of the continuing support of the province.
“You can count on your provincial government to empower and assist you. I applaud the high standards you have set for your students and fellow teachers,” he said.
Lacson acknowledged though that the task of educating children should not rest solely on the shoulders of teachers, but should be a shared responsibility.
“All of us have a role to play in guaranteeing that education is both accessible and responsive to the diverse needs of our students,” he added.
Marcos, who committed to pushing for laws that will benefit the teachers, such as additional chalk allowance, gifted each of the attendees 25 kilos of rice and lipsticks.
Marcos and Tolentino also gifted each teacher with PHP1,000 cash. (PNA)
