DepEd-ARMM honors Bangsamoro teachers, calls them 'unsung heroes'

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=929985
• Monday, October 10, 2016

(PNA), JMC/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, Oct. 10 (PNA) -- "Teachers deserved not just recognition but honor and emulation."

With these words, Dr. John Magno, regional secretary of the Department of Education of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) led in honoring 10 outstanding Bangsamoro teachers Sunday in a delayed celebration of the 2016 World Teachers’ Day.

The 2016 World Teachers Day was on Oct. 5.

Magno said the awards served as recognition for the invaluable services of teachers in the learning and development processes of students in the region and to the Education department itself.

Citing a story of a master teacher in the region qualified for promotion as school principal, or district supervisor, but chose to remain a classroom teacher, Dr. Magno noted he has high regards to the “unsung heroes” of the nation in reference to the teachers.

"I have high regards and respect for teachers who put the interest of school children than their own interest," Magno told reporters.

According to Jaime Mendoza, Jr. of Parang National High School in Parang, Maguindanao, one of the awardees, said a teacher is satisfied and fulfilled if his or her student excel in academics and in life.

Mendoza served as a classroom teacher for many years and is now the English department head in his school.

Mendoza said he was proud to be among the 10 outstanding teachers in the region.

“I am much honored being named as an outstanding teacher of ARMM,” he said. As of 2016, there are 29,992 public elementary, junior high school and senior high school teachers across the region.

Magno said these teachers are serving in nine schools divisions namely, Maguindanao I and II, MarawiCity, Lanao Sur I and II, Lamitan City, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. Each schools division nominated three teachers for the award.

For this year's search for outstanding teachers, a total of 25 teacher qualifiers underwent screenings that include panel interviews, written examinations, teaching demonstration and a review of qualifiers' pertinent documents.

The awardees for elementary school category are: Fridanovie Rabor (Datu Saililah Elementary School, Maguindanao I Division); Gideon Dable (Limpongo Elementary School, Maguindanao I Division); Susan Berganio (Nuro Central Elementary School, Maguindanao II Division); Maria Helena Barlovento (Maluso Central Elementary School, Basilan Division) and Romel Plando (Hadji Yunos Jumdain Elementary School, Tawi-Tawi Division).

Fro secondary school category, the winners were Mendoza of Parang, Maguindanao, Asnawi Rakiin (Datu Mamintal Adiong National High School, Lanao Sur I Division); Primo Sanosa, Jr. (Malabang National High School, Lanao Sur II Division); Melba Abdulla (Maluso National High School, Basilan Division) and Grace Ann Pangambayan (Sulu National High School, Sulu Division).

They received plaques and cash prizes. The regional celebration has the theme “Guro Kabalikat sa Pagbabago.”