Education office to honor outstanding teachers

THE Department of Education (DepEd) is set to honor the outstanding teachers who have shown remarkable devotion to their job, as it culminates the teachers’ month celebration on October 5.

The national culmination will be held in Cagayan de Oro to be attended by around 5,000 teachers from all over Mindanao.

Dr. Myrna Castaños, Gingoog City Schools Division superintendent and chairperson of the World Teachers’ Day publicity and media committee, said this year’s national celebration is anchored on the heroic acts of teachers in schools, especially in the cities greatly affected by Tropical Storm Sendong last December 2011, including Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.

This year’s theme “My Teacher, My Hero” will give honor to teachers who, despite being survivors of Sendong themselves, went around different evacuation centers in search of their students as they encouraged them to go back to school.

Earlier, Education Undersecretary Rizalino Rivera cited the commitment of teachers at the Bayug Elementary School in Iligan City, which is one of the schools destroyed by Sendong.

Rivera said the school only registered 75 percent attendance rate on the first day of classes in January 2012 but increased to 100 percent after a week because of the commitment and dedication of the teachers to their students.

Medarda B. Galarrita, DepEd information officer, said the culmination activity will be a festive event as they are expecting celebrities who would provide fun and entertainment to the teachers to ensure that they get “the needed break they deserved.”

October 5 is also set as World Teachers Day and will be celebrated by teachers worldwide to give honor to their vital role in providing quality education and in building a nation.

A simultaneous prayer for teachers will also be held at 10 a.m. on the same day. (With Jorie C. Valcorza/PIA)