BENGUET province renewed the contracts of provincial school board teachers and guidance associates to help curb the lack of personnel in the province.

Governor Melchor Diclas said a total of 99 personnel have been re-signed of which, 40 are guidance associates, while the rest are teachers in secondary public schools in the province.

The guidance associates are scattered within the province, where they are tasked to teach moral and ethical core values, implement character development programs, and emphasize virtues and ethical behaviour, according to Diclas.

The governor also noted the move aims to ramp up the roster of teachers among the Department of Education, emphasizing the need for additional teachers in public schools and guidance associates to provide psychosocial support to learners.

“The Governor also expressed optimism that their roles would not only contribute to the present educational situation of the province, but would also serve as an avenue to gain professional experience which they can use when they pursue permanent positions in the future,” the governor said in a statement.

A contract signing was held at the provincial capital last January 5, which was graced by officials from the Benguet Schools Division.

According to Senator Pia Cayetano, the country lacks nearly 90,000 teachers during a budget hearing in November last year.

Cayetano also stated DepEd is planning to hire 20,000 teachers for School Year 2024-2025.