Marcos: Teachers among 'most important' partners in nation-building

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday recognized teachers as among the country's "most important partners" in nation-building, as thousands of education personnel took their oath in Dagupan City.

Marcos acknowledged teachers' efforts, from preparing lessons during early or late hours to guiding their students.

"You become the second parents to your students. You believe in them. You remind them of what they are capable of, especially when they need it the most," Marcos said in his speech.

"And that is why we recognize our teachers as among the most important partners in nation-building," he added.

A total of 5,211 personnel under the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System took their oath, including 4,972 teachers and 239 school heads.

The ECP System provides expanded career pathways for public school teachers and school leaders, from Teacher I to Teacher VII, Master Teacher I to V, and School Principal I to IV.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said more than 80,000 school personnel had been promoted this year, while another 132,000 could be promoted next year.

Meanwhile, 234 appointed School Counselor Associates (SCAs) also participated in the oathtaking ceremony.

Marcos said more than 82,100 teachers and school heads had been reclassified nationwide through the ECP System as of November. In Pangasinan alone, more than 10,200 personnel had benefited from the initiative, he added.

The President also acknowledged the shortage of school counselors and said the government was working to increase their number.

"As we pay greater attention to the mental health of our youth, their role has become more crucial, more important than ever," Marcos said.

"These concerns require concrete measures, and that is precisely what this administration is working to deliver," he added.

The Department of Education (DepEd) earlier said it needed to hire 48,000 school counselor associates nationwide to strengthen mental health and psychosocial support for learners.

The agency plans to deploy 10,000 counselor associates by the end of the year.against the latest DepEd figures.— MCG, GMA News

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