Education Secretary Leonor Briones on Tuesday, Oct. 5, paid tribute to all Filipino teachers in this year’s celebration of the World Teachers’ Day (WTD).

“I would like to wish our faithful and loyal teachers a glorious and happy Happy World Teachers’ Day!” Briones said in a message. “You deserve all the honor and admiration,” she added.

Briones explained that this year's theme “Gurong Filipino: Katuwang sa Hamon, Kasama sa Pagbangon” emphasizes the “importance of teachers in our continuous nation building amidst facing the challenges” brought by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

“Your resilience and innovativeness are crucial factors in ensuring that we will continue to perform our mandate of delivering quality education for our children,” Briones said.

Guided by DepEd’s Basic Education - Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP), Briones said that the agency has “diligently provided assistance to our teachers during this extraordinary situation through enabling policies and comprehensive programs.”

Likewise, Briones noted DepEd has also undertaken steps to “further provide more benefits to our hardworking teachers” such as additional salary grades and opportunities for professional growth.

“We are determined to widen the reach of these initiatives so that we can truly achieve our shared goal of educating every Filipino child and it is our hope that you will continue to walk with us in this purposeful journey,” Briones said.

Briones also expressed hope that teachers will remain “happy, healthy, safe, and strong amidst all the unprecedented challenges.”

Aside from the celebration of WTD, Oct. 5 also marks the celebration of National Teachers’ Day (NTD) in the Philippines.

During a virtual program, DepEd Undersecretary Tonisito Umali explained that the NTD is celebrated to “honor those who are in the teaching profession” and “to acknowledge and give emphasis on the crucial role, loyal service, and dedicated commitment of teachers in developing globally-minded citizens, nurturing families, strengthening communities, and building the nation.”

The NTD also aims to “revitalize the image of and respect for teaching as a vocation by increasing public awareness on the value of teachers in the Philippine society” and “to take the occasion as an opportunity in building the image of teaching as an attractive and fulfilling profession.”

Moreover, the NTD celebration also aims to “generate widespread support and assistance for teachers” and to “express gratitude for the positive influences of teachers on Filipino learners.”

Aside from the celebrating WTD and NTD, Oct. 5 also marks the culmination of the month-long National Teachers’ Month (NTM) celebration which started on Sept. 5.