VICE President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte paid tribute to teachers on Tuesday, calling them builders of the nation’s dreams.

“Many dreams started inside the classrooms. Many dreams were inspired by teachers,” Duterte said at the National Teachers’ Month Kick-Off program at the Bohol Wisdom School in Tagbilaran City.

She said teachers are “sparks of inspiration in every classroom, the guiding light of countless possibilities and better futures, and the builders of our nation’s dreams.”

“Teachers have essentially helped build our country. And teachers will always be there as we move forward with our aspirations to see a stable, secure, peaceful, and strong Philippines,” she added.

Teachers also teach values, the reason why
the revised K to 10 curriculum will reintroduce Good Manners and Right Conduct to learners, the Vice President said.

“We hope to once again make our schools and classrooms places where learners can acquire essential values to help them become better individuals,” the Vice President said.

“This is crucial because our learners are growing up in a world that is increasingly violent, unsafe, and unfriendly to children,” she added.

Duterte acknowledged the burdens and hardships endured by Filipino teachers.

She said interim guidelines will be issued to significantly and immediately reduce the administrative tasks of teachers.

She added that teachers will have 30 straight days of rest during the school year break without any department activity that requires volunteer work.

Duterte also said the DepEd is about to sign memorandum of agreement with the Government Service Insurance System that would provide an exclusive lane for teachers.

A website will also be launched soon to provide free legal assistance to teachers regarding their loan contracts.

She also disclosed that the department is also developing an automated system for an objective selection in the hiring and promotion of teachers.

“Wala nang palakasan,” Duterte said.