CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The Department of Education (DepEd) hired 43 returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from Central Luzon 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,” DepEd Regional Director Malcolm Garma said.
SPIMS is a collaboration of DepEd, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and the Professional Regulation Commission.
For 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 years.
The OFWs were given permanent Teacher I items, and will be assigned to schools with shortages.
“The 43 returning OFWs from Central Luzon 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,” Garma added.
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. –Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu