Every beginning of the back-to-school season, local news always reports the shortage of public school teachers and facilities. Between 2010 and 2016, the Department of Education (DepEd) hired 195,302 public school teachers in preparation for the K-12 program. However, our educational system still needs 30,000 teachers, particularly in the fields of Mathematics and Science.
To increase the population of teachers, the Commission of Higher Education (CHED) placed education on third spot of their list of priority courses. Ten percent of student financial assistance programs’ beneficiaries are directed to pursue the courses from that list. But why should students and professionals aspire to be part of the education system?
Teaching is a stable job
Other jobs may have age requirements, but most teaching positions don’t have an age requirement as long as the applicants are licensed. While there have been issues on teachers’ salary, teachers receive various benefits including health insurance, retirement fund, and bonuses.
It will only take one year at the most to be a licensed teacher
Even if you’ve already finished a college degree, you still have the chance to be part of a better educational system. Non-profit organization Philippine Business Education (PBEd) has been offering scholarships for aspiring teachers since 2015. Called Step Up Teacher Scholarship Program, PBEd, DepEd, and the Australian government originally launched the program to gather 1,000 professionals to fill the lack of public school teachers.
Open to all bachelor’s degree holders with a general weighted average (GWA) of 85 percent and are passionate for public education, qualified individuals will undergo an 18-unit Certificate of Teaching Program. After the program, scholars are required to teach in public schools for three years. Those who plan to apply for the scholarship, deadline of application is until May 15 only.
It’s a rewarding career
Teaching may not be the highest paying job out there, but it might just be the most fulfilling one. As American historian Henry Adams said, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”
Writer: OLIVER EMOCLING
