EYE OPENER
Public school teachers, heroes for all seasons
In danger and hard times, the hardworking public school teachers are always there to give their utmost best. In classroom scenario, the teachers are looked upon by students and pupils as their second parent. Though the teachers are lowly paid, yet they render service not only to students and pupils but also to the community.
During the opening of classes in June the poor teachers even assist in fixing broken desks and chairs and secure comfortable places for classroom purposes where enrolment for the term has exceeded the number of student enrollees to three folds. Whenever students and pupils have problems in their homes, the teachers act as the caring parent and joyfully sooth the problem of the students and turn this to a happy ending.
Despite the low stipend and allowance received by the tutors accompanied by so many duties not only in school but in the community as well, public school teachers remain loyal to their sworn duty to serve the children and the community with vigor and strength. Public school teachers are called upon to any civic duty. During the elections they are front runners of public service. Teachers report to their risky assignments in remote barangays without fear. In the recent automated election where many machines bogged down in many areas, the teachers keep their peace since some selfish politicians blame them for the failure of the machine. In many instances, the teachers had rendered their services to the Comelec but their honorarium had been delayed several weeks. The teachers are always the scapegoat of erring politicians who want to burden them in so many ways.
The poor public school teachers serve as Census enumerators as they are accurate in recording ousehold data and they go from house to house to enumerate every household member and permanent dwellers. Teachers penetrate the remotest sitio of the mountainous barangay and the NPAs have high regard for them as many of the children of the rebellious group are in public schools.
In calamities like typhoon, flood, fire and earthquake, the public school teachers are in the forefront assisting people who are victims of the disaster. If CNN has a program of “heroes”, the teachers are modern heroes not only in the Philippines but all throughout the world. To our beloved teachers, we salute you and the Filipino people are aware of your unprecedented service to the people and country. God bless you all and may our high government officials honor your invaluable services to people and the nation and give you reasonable salary.
