Today, October 4, we honor and thank all teachers, and join the rest of the world in celebrating Teachers’ Day.   

It is a good time to reflect on the important role of teachers in our life – – our parents who are our first teachers at home, our teachers who teach us subjects in school, our mentors who share their wisdom and expertise as we navigate through our careers and journey through our lives.  We toast the teachers’ valiant efforts just to teach children to read or do their math.  They put in long hours, endure low and delayed salaries, cross rivers or travel several towns just to be able to teach.  We recognize teachers who are at the heart in the fight for creating global education with the target of leaving no one behind.  Amidst the pandemic, teachers are at the forefront of protecting education by taking the helm and continuing their lessons for the sake of every student.  The contributions they make to provide remote learning, support vulnerable populations, support modular and blended learning, re-open schools, and ensure that learning gaps are mitigated have been inspiring and heart-warming.   Our parent-teachers are amazing as they take on a huge responsibility under distance learning just to make sure there is continuity of learning for their children.  

In appreciation for our teachers, Surigao Del Norte Vice Mayor Alfredo Coro sent a special message:  “Thank you to all the teachers for all your efforts and sacrifices for the youth, the hope of the nation. You are the reason why we are here now continuing our service in both the public and private sectors.”   Cagayan de Oro Mayo Oscar Moreno recognized that “It is through teaching that you make a better society of tomorrow.”   Mayor Francis Fontanilla of Bacnotan, La Union thanked the teachers for their “selfless service and dedication to our children.”  One of Synergeia’s program officers, Monch Aldana, said “It is important to show gratitude to teachers and remember how teachers have played a vital role in shaping our lives and minds.”   Program officer Edwin Nacionales’ simple greeting says it all, “Happy Teachers’ Day!”   As one student aptly said, our teachers are indeed our super heroes!

Mayor Abubakar Paglas is one of the education champions under the EdGE Program.  He has steered the transformation of the LSB of Datu Paglas, Maguindanao.  It’s very high 4.9 score in the latest assessment of performance in education governance is testament to it. 

One of the innovative programs of Mayor Paglas is his Parenting Program with a different approach.  The Mayor, the LSB, and the different Departments of the LGU visit the schools to conduct a workshop with parents.  All  stakeholders of the school including the SGC leaders and members are welcome to attend.  This year, the LGU/LSB has already conducted the workshops in all the 28 public schools in Datu Paglas, including 3 high schools.

The different Departments of the LGU are included in the program so that they can talk about their ongoing programs to the parents.  For instance, the Treasurer’s Office and the Assessor’s office explain the LGU’s tax campaign and enumerate the benefits that citizens get when they pay their taxes.  The Health Office talks about nutrition and vaccination while the Barangay would discuss its programs for the community. 

The Mayor believes that with this approach, the local government is able to hear directly the concerns of parents and address them at once.  At the same time, the Mayor is able to encourage parents to look after the education of their children. 

In one of the parenting workshops held at Tocao Madidis Central Elementary School, one of the concerns raised was increasing absenteeism among students.  The students skip classes especially during the harvest season when they are told by the parents to work in the farms.   To address the absenteeism problem,  the Mayor said that the municipal government will issue an ordinance to prevent child labor. 

Another problem is the lack of birth certificates among the school children. Most of the children in the community have no birth certificates.   In order to resolve this, the Mayor immediately ordered the Municipal Local Civil Registrar to work with the principals and teachers of all schools and make sure that all are given birth certificates onsite. 

Mayor Paglas encourages his partner mayors of the Southwestern Liguasan Alliance of Municipalities (SLAM), an alliance of 5 Maguindanao LGUs which are EdGE site,  to replicate this best practice.  Going directly to the people is a leadership strategy that Mayor Paglas has practiced well.