President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has assured public school teachers of the national government’s full support to help them fulfill their duties.
“You know, you teachers are the ones who are relied on. For me, you are the real heroes. And I think of teachers — I always remind our countrymen — the teacher, he teaches, he became a teacher, not to get rich, not to become famous, not to run for politics,” the President said during his visit to Tibagan Elementary School in San Miguel, Bulacan.
Marcos acknowledged the teachers’ dedication, saying, “Our teachers are really good, maybe just lacking support [but] we will support you. Not only with financial support, but also with retraining — like how we will reduce administrative duties, those kinds of things, so that you can teach well.”
He said teachers became teachers to teach, not to be burdened by other tasks like administrative work.
To help teachers and students, the government installed Starlink satellite internet equipment, as presented by Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda. Additionally, the Department of Education (DepEd) has incorporated the Khan Academy platform, offering online lessons with practice exercises to enhance teaching.
“We just keep looking at what you need as we get ready for school. Are you ready? I think the kids are getting ready too. So we’ll do everything,” the President said.
He emphasized the goal of preparing graduates for their futures: “We are here, let’s fix this together so that when our young people graduate, they really graduate, they are good at reading, they are good at mathematics, they are good at everything. And they can do it whether they continue on to college or they work, they are ready. Whatever they choose, they will do well in their career.”
Marcos also thanked the teachers for their courage and efforts in shaping their students’ futures.
Marcos visited the Barihan Elementary School in Malolos and Tibagan Elementary School in San Miguel one week before schools open on 16 June.
At Barihan, he inspected ongoing repairs to ceilings, windows, and doors to ensure classrooms are safe and ready.
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara noted: “He really wanted to see the true state of our schools and see who he could help and here we know.”
Marcos had already ordered improvements to the school’s internet, one of its major concerns.
During the visit, he spent time with the teachers, parents, and children helping to prepare learning materials.
Together with his son Vincent, the President installed a blackboard and wrote a message: “Welcome back to school! Study hard, kids.”
The DepEd donated 22 tablets and one laptop for teachers and students and will distribute over 300 bags with basic school supplies at Barihan Elementary on the first day of classes.
In San Miguel, guided by Angara and DICT Secretary Aguda, Marcos saw the new Starlink internet installation at Tibagan Elementary and observed students using online tools in class. He also met 200 newly hired public school teachers, part of the DepEd’s response to the teacher shortage.
Angara encouraged the parents and volunteers to join the annual Brigada Eskwela, which started Monday and will run until 13 June.