EDUCATION Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio lauded teachers for their role in shaping the minds of the youth.

“Ang atin pong mga guro ay ating mga dangal ng bayan and dapat po nating bigyan ng importansya ang kanilang role sa ating nation building. Napakahalaga po ng ating mga guro in molding the youth — the future of our country,” Duterte said in an interview after the World Teachers’ Day program celebration in Abra province.

“Kaya gusto naming malaman ninyong lahat, mahal namin ang mga guro hindi lang sa Department of Education kundi lahat ng guro kahit sa private sector, kahit mga retired na, kahit yung mga susunod pa na mga guro na ngayon ay nasa higher education at ang kanilang intention ay pumasok sa ating Philippine Education System para magturo ng ating mga learners,” she added.

The Vice President arrived early in the province to conduct her usual school visits and hold meeting with teachers. She also asked teachers to share updates and the challenges they face.

Duterte said she chose to celebrate Teachers’ Day in Abra “to show moral support to teachers” who were affected by the magnitude 7 earthquake last July.

“Kaya sabi ko, punta tayo sa mga teachers na nangangailangan ng stress debriefing, kailangan ng relaxation dahil hindi po madali na dumaan sa 7-magnitude na lindol,” Duterte said.

She also distributed rice packs to the teachers.