Porac, Pampanga — Jenalyn Santiago worked as a teacher in Brunei Darussalam for six years. She returned to the Philippines last year and no longer has to leave her hometown in Barangay Manibaug Libutad to work as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW).
The 27–year old Santiago, who is now teaching at the Francisco Henson Elementary School in Sta. Cruz, Porac, is one of the qualified OFWs who were hired by the Department of Education last year upon their return from their work abroad under the “Sa ‘Pinas Ikaw ang Mam at Sir” (SPIMS) Program.
Launched in 2014, the SPIMS Program aims to assist OFWs who are Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) passers working abroad as professional teachers or household service workers to be employed as teachers when they return in the Philippines.
This program is a collaboration of the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and the Professional Regulation Commission.
“[The] SPIMs program is a great help for us ofw[s] who really want to go back home. It has a big impact in my life especially now that I am already teaching in public school I can be able to shape our future generations and serve our country and at the same time, I get to spend more time with my family,” says Jenalyn.
For the School Year 2017-2018, a total of 542 OFWs passed the evaluation and endorsement of DOLE by having passed the LET, taken refresher courses, or taught within the last five (5) years. They will automatically be given permanent Teacher I items, and be assigned to schools with shortages.
In Central Luzon, a total of 43 returning OFWs will be given permanent teaching positions in public schools near their residences in the provinces of Aurora, Bulacan, Bataan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija and Tarlac. 25 teachers will be assigned in the elementary level while 18 will be assigned in the Junior High School level.
Schools Division Offices are instructed to conduct thorough interview and demonstration teaching and are tasked to address noted gaps appropriately through the conduct of teacher trainings and other apt interventions. –Press Release