EDUCATION Secretary Leonor Briones commended teachers for providing their students innovative learning experiences that will prepare them for the future.

“The Department of Education greets, salutes, honors all our teachers whether they’re in the lowest grades or up to the highest grades in Senior High School. We greet every one of you and express to each one of you our gratitude for your contributions to education,” Briones said during the virtual kickoff of the 2021 National Teachers’ Month on Monday.

“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,” the DepEd chief added.

With the theme “Gurong Filipino: Katuwang sa Hamon, Kasama sa Pagbangon,” this year’s National Teachers’ Month celebrates educators’ relentless spirit amidst the pandemic.

The celebration culminates on October 5.

Briones also announced the release of P1,000 World Teachers’ Day incentive for all public school teachers.

Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs, External Partnerships, and Project Management Service Tonisito Umali said that the occasion is an opportunity to revitalize the image and respect for teaching as a vocation.

“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,” he added.

DepEd Region VII Director Salustiano Jimenez highlighted the vital role of teachers in the education sector during the pandemic.

“You are the moving force that brings light and hope in this day and age when it is seemingly bleak and dark outside,” Jimenez said.