In preparation for the opening of classes for school year 2012-2013, theDepartment of Education (DepEd) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) launched its "Balik Eskwela" program and "Brigada Eskwela 2012" in the five provinces of the region.
ARMM DepEd Sec. Jamal Kulayan last week kicked off the ceremonial painting of Marawi Central Pilot Elementary School. He was accompanied by Mayor Nur Yasmin Candada and Marawi DepEd officials headed by School Supt. Dr. Mona Ampuan Makatanong.
"We're going around to help the DepEd in its Balik Eskwela program in several public schools in ARMM in the repair and cleaning of school rooms in preparation for the opening of classes on June," Kulayan said.
Aside from assisting Brigada Eskwela in order to prepare safe and convenient environment for school children, Kulayan said they were also tasked to distributelesson plan class records and books to teachers.
Acting ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv S. Hataman announced that there were some 2,300 available items for new teachers in the ARMM.
"Sa ngayon may bakanti kaming 2,300 teachers item. Ang priority namin ngayon ay LET (Licensure Exam for Teachers) passers," Hataman said in an interview.
He said that teachers outside ARMM who are LET passers can apply. "Puwede. Pero ang tanong mayron bang gusto? Actually, ang gusto ko puwede silang mag apply kahit outsiders sila kasi nga nangangailang kami ng quality of teachers."
With many applications are received in the region, Hataman appealed to the region’s governors, mayors, and DepEd officials “na huwag politikahin ang application ofteachers, at unahin natin ang mga LET passers.”
While Hataman admitted that in his administration’s effort to institute changes, some promises were broken, “not because we wanted it but because of the resistance of those affected by the changes.”
He cited the case of systematizing the releasing of salaries of the teachers in the ARMM through automated teller machines (ATMs). “Nahirapan ang Landbank sa disiplina ng mga nag-oopen ng account,” he said.
He appealed to the teachers to be patient with the new system as he is aware of some complaints that teachersassigned in the islands and far-flung communities would still have to spend time and money to visit banks in urban centers to claim their salaries in ATM.
He said that the system is the same with salaries released through checks, “the teacher will still have to visit a bank to encash his/her check.”
Hataman pointed out that this system is for the benefit of the teachers because their salaries will already be free from unauthorized and illegal deductions.
He assured that by the opening of classes in June, all salaries will already be in ATMs, complete with identificationcards with picture and in biometrics.
Meanwhile, Governor Hataman vowed to address the record low literacy rate gripping the 21-year-old region.
Education experts traced the problem to various factors including the scarcity of licensed teachers in the ARMM.
ARMM which has the lowest literacy rate in the country, Governor Hataman also vowed to address the scarcity of quality teachers.
He is launching a special program giving prospect teachers aspiring to take the LET free review classes, reference books and transport expenses.
The ARMM DepEd is currently building classrooms and making chairs. The construction of these classrooms are being rushed for the opening of classes in June.
"Kakulangan sa classrooms mayron tayo...mayron tayo...pero marami din ang on-going construction ng mga school buildings. Ang problema namin may nabigyan na hindi naman priority kaya inaayos pa namin ang systema na iyan kasi nag monitor iyong team namin, mayron talaga na hindi na kailangan," Hataman said.
