The noble profession of teaching has fallen on hard times, at least in this country. Studies have shown a steady decline in the number of Filipinos aspiring for a career in education. Many of the best educators have left the country, lured by higher pay overseas. Filipino educators are teaching subjects including English not only in countries such as Cambodia but also in the United States. Other teachers have opted to work overseas as maids or caregivers. Many of the teachers left behind lack the necessary skills to impart quality education. The lack of qualified teachers has been cited as one of the biggest reasons for the sorry state of education in the Philippines, particularly in public schools.
Despite rosy growth figures touted by the administration, economic benefits are not trickling down to the grassroots and are not enough to make Filipinos work in their own country. Filipino teachers and health professionals continue to go overseas in droves, posing serious challenges to public education and the health care system.
Today the nation joins the international community in marking World Teachers’ Day. Policy makers should heed the day’s theme drawn up by the United Nations: better working conditions for teachers mean better learning conditions for learners. If the government is serious in stopping the decline in the quality of Philippine education, it should find ways of improving the welfare of teachers, so that the profession lures the nation’s best and brightest. The government will also have to embark on a continuing skills upgrading program so teachers especially in public schools can take advantage of advances in information technology to improve teaching methods. Too many teachers lack IT skills; it is not unusual for high school students to be more knowledgeable about computers than their teachers. One of the biggest criticisms against the controversial Cyber Education project is that most teachers lack the skills to implement it. Quality education starts with the educator. If the government can improve working conditions for teachers, it will be a major step in stopping the decline in the quality of Philippine education.