As the country celebrates the National Teachers’ Month (NTM) this year, the Department of Education (DepEd) expressed gratitude to teachers for giving learners innovative learning experiences essential for the real world.

(ALI VICOY / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

Education Secretary Leonor Briones, in a statement issued Monday, Oct. 4, greeted and honored all teachers -- whether they are in the lowest grades or up to the highest grades in Senior High School (SHS).

“We greet every one of you and express to each one of you our gratitude for your contributions to education,” Briones said.

The celebration of NTM started on Sept. 5. It will culminate on Oct. 5 which is also the World Teachers’ Day (WTD) and National Teachers’ Day (NTD) celebration.

“Never let go of our love for our learners, of our continuous search for better ways of teaching, better ways of preparing our learners for the future,” Briones said. “Thank you very much,” she added.

With the theme “Gurong Filipino: Katuwang sa Hamon, Kasama sa Pagbangon,” this year’s NTM is a long-month celebration of educators’ relentless spirit amidst the pandemic.

As part of showing its gratitude to teachers, Briones also announced the release of Php 1,000 cash allowance as World Teachers’ Day Incentive Benefit (WTDIB) for all public school teachers for this year.

Meanwhile, Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs, External Partnerships, and Project Management Service Tonisito M.C. Umali noted that the occasion is an opportunity to revitalize the image and respect for teaching as a vocation and build its image as an attractive and fulfilling profession.

“We also would like to generate widespread support and assistance for our teachers and of course, magpasalamat sa lahat ng kontribusyon o naiambag ng ating pong mga gurong Filipino sa paghubog ng kamalayan at kaisipan ng ating mga anak (we want to thank our Filipino teachers for their contributions in shaping the consciousness and mindset of our children),” he added.

Regional Director Salustiano Jimenez, on the other hand, highlighted the vital role of teachers in the education sector during the pandemic.

“Dear teachers, you may not hear it often, but let me remind you of your immense value in this historic chapter of our educational system,” he said. “You are the moving force that brings light and hope in this day and age when it is seemingly bleak and dark outside,” he added.

As part of this year’s celebration, Philippine Postal Corp. launched the NTM 2021 stamps as a tribute to frontline education heroes.

“The posting stamp we are launching depicts how educators have eagerly adapted to challenging situations,” Postmaster General and CEO of Philippine Postal Corp. Norman Fulgencio said.

“It shows teachers using technology to cultivate knowledge and enrich student’s mind. This is our own little way of thanking teachers in this National Teachers’ Month,” he added.

DepEd also recognized the the awardees for the 2021 Outstanding Filipino Award for Teachers by the Metrobank Foundation Inc. Namely Lou Sabrina Ongkiko, Master Teacher 1 in Culiat Elementary School Mr. Jason Albaro, Teacher 3 in Muntinlupa National High School.

#NTM 2021

DepEd thanks teachers for preparing learners for real-life lessons